Whitewater, Wisconsin shows moderate solar energy potential for year-round electricity generation, though with significant seasonal variation typical of its Northern Temperate Zone location.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location varies considerably throughout the year. Summer provides the strongest performance at 6.28 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it an excellent time for solar generation. Spring also delivers solid results with 5.27 kWh per day per kW, representing the second-best season for solar production. Autumn sees a notable drop to 3.29 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.25 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity. This winter figure is less than half the summer output, which is typical for northern latitude locations.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Whitewater, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 37 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the year and weighting the angles based on actual solar irradiance data.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in Whitewater can significantly impact solar energy generation:

• Snow accumulation: Wisconsin winters bring substantial snowfall that can completely block solar panels for days or weeks
• Ice formation: Freezing rain and ice storms can coat panels, severely reducing output
• Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly in winter months
• Seasonal storms: Severe weather including hail, high winds, and thunderstorms can damage equipment

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

Several installation strategies can help maximize solar production despite these challenges:

• Steeper tilt angles: While 37 degrees is optimal for year-round production, slightly steeper angles can help snow slide off more easily
• Quality mounting systems: Robust mounting hardware designed for high wind and snow loads prevents structural damage
• Panel selection: Choose panels with anti-reflective coatings and designs that perform better in low-light conditions
• Strategic placement: Avoid areas where trees or buildings create shadows, and ensure good southern exposure
• Maintenance access: Design installations that allow safe snow removal when necessary

Overall, Whitewater represents a reasonably viable location for solar energy, particularly when systems are designed to handle the region's winter challenges and take advantage of the strong summer and spring solar potential.

Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 4253 locations across the United States. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in the United States by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Whitewater

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.8254, Longitude: -88.7336 (Whitewater, United States), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:

 

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 37° South in Whitewater, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Whitewater, United States (Lat/Long 42.8254, -88.7336) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° South for fixed panel installations.

As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.

We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Whitewater, United States

If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Whitewater, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
27° South in Summer	47° South in Autumn	57° South in Winter	36° South in Spring

Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.

This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.

Calculate solar panel row spacing in Whitewater, United States

We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Whitewater, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. Minimum Spacing:
   We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.

This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.

Topography for solar PV around Whitewater, United States

Topography Around Whitewater, Wisconsin

The landscape surrounding Whitewater, Wisconsin is characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively modest elevation changes typical of the southeastern Wisconsin region. This area sits within the glaciated terrain of the upper Midwest, where ancient ice sheets carved out a topography that features gradual slopes, scattered wetlands, and fertile agricultural valleys. The elevation in and around Whitewater generally ranges from approximately 800 to 1,000 feet above sea level, with the most prominent topographical feature being the Kettle Moraine State Forest to the east. The immediate vicinity of Whitewater displays a mix of agricultural fields, woodlands, and developed areas associated with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus and the surrounding community. The terrain includes several small lakes and wetland areas, which are remnants of the glacial activity that shaped this region thousands of years ago. Rolling farmland dominates much of the surrounding countryside, with corn and soybean fields creating a patchwork of open spaces interrupted by farm buildings, tree lines, and occasional wooded areas.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The agricultural fields stretching south and west of Whitewater present the most promising opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These areas offer extensive flat to gently sloping terrain with minimal obstructions from trees or buildings. The predominant south-facing slopes in this agricultural zone would be particularly well-suited for solar panel orientation, allowing for optimal sun exposure throughout the day. The open farmland areas approximately three to five miles southwest of the city center provide especially favorable conditions, as they combine relatively flat topography with good accessibility to existing electrical infrastructure. These zones benefit from being far enough from the more densely wooded areas near the Kettle Moraine while still maintaining reasonable proximity to transmission lines that serve the Whitewater area. Areas to the north and northwest of Whitewater also show potential for solar development, particularly where agricultural use has created large clearings with southern exposure. The gentle rolling nature of the terrain in these locations would allow for strategic placement of solar arrays on south-facing slopes while avoiding the steeper grades and heavily forested sections that characterize parts of the regional landscape. The eastern approaches toward the Kettle Moraine would generally be less suitable for large-scale solar installations due to increased tree cover, more varied topography, and the presence of environmentally sensitive areas. Similarly, the immediate areas around Whitewater Lake and other water bodies would present challenges due to wetland considerations and irregular terrain.

United States solar PV Stats as a country

United States ranks 2nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 95,209 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 3.40% of United States's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 26th in the world). Each year United States is generating 289 Watts from solar PV per capita (United States ranks 15th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in United States?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the United States. These include federal tax credits, state and local rebates, net metering policies, and renewable energy certificates (RECs). Additionally, many states have enacted legislation that requires utilities to purchase a certain amount of electricity from renewable sources such as solar.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in United States? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential

The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.

However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.

Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site

Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide

Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.