Solar PV Analysis of Windsor, United States
Windsor, Wisconsin is a decent place for solar energy production throughout the year, although it's not perfect. The amount of electricity you can get from solar panels changes with the seasons. In summer, each kilowatt of installed solar power could produce around 6.39 kilowatt-hours per day. This drops to about 3.29 in autumn and further down to just 2.25 in winter before rising again to around 5.19 in spring.
So, if you're thinking about when's the best time for generating solar energy at this location - summer would be your top choice followed by spring due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight exposure.
If you're installing fixed panel solar systems here, tilting them at an angle of 37 degrees facing south would give you the most overall power across all four seasons.
However, certain local factors could potentially impact how much energy your panels generate here in Windsor:
1) Winter Weather: Snow can cover panels reducing their effectiveness or even stop production altogether until cleared off.
Preventative Measure: You might want to consider having a system set up for clearing snow off your panels during winter months – either manually or through automated means like heating elements.
2) Cloud Cover: Wisconsin has considerable cloud cover throughout the year which may limit sunlight reaching your panels.
Preventative Measure: While there’s not much one can do about cloudy weather, using high-efficiency modules that perform better under diffused light conditions could help maintain energy output on cloudy days.
3) Shading Issues: Trees or nearby buildings may cast shadows over your installation site limiting sun exposure.
Preventative Measure: Before installing any system make sure potential shading issues are assessed properly; trimming trees or choosing an unobstructed location will ensure maximum sun exposure for your panels.
In conclusion, while Windsor isn't perhaps ideal for round-the-year high-output solar production due its seasonal variations and weather conditions, with the right setup and preventative measures, a solar PV system can still be a viable source of renewable energy.
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 Windsor
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.2051, Longitude: -89.3455 (Windsor, 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 Windsor, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Windsor, United States (Lat/Long 43.2051, -89.3455) 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 Windsor, 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 Windsor, 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 Windsor, 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 Windsor, United States.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Windsor, United States
The coordinates provided are for Windsor, Wisconsin, United States. The area around Windsor is characterized by a mix of flat and gently rolling terrain, typical of the Midwest region. It's part of the Central Plains and Great Lakes landscape with farmlands, forests, wetlands and urban areas.
In terms of solar PV deployment, flat or gently sloping areas are generally ideal as they require less site preparation work. Areas with minimal shading from trees or buildings would also be beneficial to maximize sun exposure throughout the day.
From a broader perspective though, factors like local climate (amount of sunny days), land use regulations (whether solar farms are permitted), proximity to existing power lines (for easy connection to grid) and local electricity prices (to determine financial viability) should also be considered when deciding on suitable locations for large-scale solar PV installations.
Given that much of Windsor is rural or semi-rural with plenty of open space such as farms and fields which receive ample sunlight year-round due to Wisconsin's temperate climate; these could potentially serve as good sites for large-scale solar PV installations. However specific feasibility studies would need to be conducted in order to confirm this.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 12th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
