Solar PV Analysis of Holland, Michigan, United States
Holland, Michigan, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a mixed bag when it comes to solar energy generation. The city experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential, which impacts the overall effectiveness of solar PV installations throughout the year.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Holland, with an impressive daily output of 6.57 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.39 kWh per day. However, the colder months see a substantial drop in solar production. Autumn yields 3.16 kWh per day, while winter performance plummets to a mere 1.70 kWh daily.
These figures highlight the stark contrast between the warm and cold seasons, with summer producing nearly four times the energy of winter. This disparity underscores the importance of efficient energy storage and management systems to balance out the seasonal fluctuations.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Holland, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 36-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the city's latitude and the sun's changing position throughout the year, ensuring the best possible energy capture across all seasons.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Holland's location near Lake Michigan introduces some challenges for solar energy production. The area is prone to lake-effect snow and cloud cover, particularly during late autumn and winter. These conditions can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency and output during the already less productive colder months.
To mitigate these issues, several preventative measures can be implemented:
- Install panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off
- Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform better in low-light conditions
- Implement regular cleaning and maintenance schedules to remove snow and debris
- Consider a ground-mounted system for easier access and maintenance
Despite these challenges, Holland's strong summer and spring performance make solar energy a viable option for residents and businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs. With proper planning and system design, the benefits of solar power can be maximized even in this variable climate.
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 Holland, Michigan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.7686, Longitude: -86.117 (Holland, Michigan, 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 36° South in Holland, Michigan, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Holland, Michigan, United States (Lat/Long 42.7686, -86.117) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Holland, Michigan, 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 Holland, Michigan, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° 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 | 46° South in Autumn | 57° South in Winter | 35° 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 Holland, Michigan, 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 Holland, Michigan, 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 Holland, Michigan, United States
The area around Holland, Michigan, located at coordinates 42.7686,-86.117, is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of the Great Lakes region. This part of western Michigan sits along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, which has a significant influence on the local topography.
The landscape around Holland features gently rolling hills and plains, with some areas of low-lying wetlands and dunes closer to the lakeshore. The elevation changes are generally gradual, with no dramatic peaks or valleys. The region was shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago, resulting in a mix of sandy and loamy soils.
To the east of Holland, the terrain becomes slightly more varied, with some modest hills and small valleys created by rivers and streams that flow towards Lake Michigan. However, even these features are relatively subtle compared to more mountainous regions.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat to gently sloping terrain in the vicinity of Holland offers several potential locations. The most promising areas would likely be found slightly inland from the lakeshore, where there are expanses of open agricultural land and fewer trees to obstruct sunlight.
Ideal sites for solar farms would be relatively level plots with good southern exposure, away from densely populated areas and sensitive ecosystems. The rural areas to the south and southeast of Holland might be particularly well-suited, as they offer larger tracts of open land that receive ample sunlight throughout the day.
It's worth noting that while the topography is generally favorable for solar installations, other factors such as local zoning regulations, grid connectivity, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the most suitable locations for large-scale solar PV projects in the region.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 8th of October 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.
