Solar Energy Production in Mercer, Wisconsin

Mercer, Wisconsin, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 46.1727, -90.0642, presents varying conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production that potential solar adopters should consider. The seasonal production patterns show a clear peak during summer months, with an average of 6.51kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 5.05kWh/day per kW. Production drops considerably during autumn to 2.96kWh/day per kW, while winter sees the lowest output at just 1.77kWh/day per kW installed.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For fixed solar panel installations in Mercer, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 39 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated based on the location's latitude and weighted solar potential throughout the year, accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit and seasonal variations.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several significant local factors can impact solar production in Mercer:

• Heavy snowfall: The region experiences substantial winter snowfall that can cover panels and dramatically reduce production during winter months when output is already at its lowest.
• Frequent cloud cover: The area experiences many overcast days, particularly in late autumn and winter, further reducing solar efficiency.
• Forest density: The surrounding northwoods environment may create partial shading issues depending on property location.

Recommended Preventative Measures

To maximize solar energy production in Mercer despite these challenges:

• Install panels at steeper angles (potentially even steeper than the optimal 39 degrees) to facilitate snow shedding
• Implement regular snow removal procedures during winter months
• Consider ground-mounted systems in forest-dense areas to avoid tree shading
• Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize production losses from partial shading
• Select high-efficiency panels rated for low-light performance to improve output during cloudy conditions

While Mercer offers excellent solar potential during summer and spring, a properly designed system accounting for local conditions is essential to optimize year-round performance. The nearly 3.7-fold difference between summer and winter daily production highlights the importance of proper system sizing to meet energy needs throughout the year.

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 Mercer, Wisconsin

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.1727, Longitude: -90.0642 (Mercer, Wisconsin, 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 39° South in Mercer, Wisconsin, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mercer, Wisconsin, United States (Lat/Long 46.1727, -90.0642) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Mercer, Wisconsin, 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 Mercer, Wisconsin, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
30° South in Summer	49° South in Autumn	60° South in Winter	39° 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 Mercer, Wisconsin, 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 Mercer, Wisconsin, 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 Mercer, Wisconsin, United States

The topography around Mercer, Wisconsin is characterized by a diverse landscape that reflects its location within the Northern Highland geographical region of the state. This area sits on the southern edge of the ancient Canadian Shield, resulting in a gently rolling terrain interspersed with numerous lakes, wetlands, and forested areas. The elevation in Mercer averages approximately 1,600 feet above sea level, with modest variations throughout the surrounding area. Mercer's landscape was primarily shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age, which ended roughly 10,000 years ago. As glaciers retreated, they left behind a terrain marked by moraines, eskers, and kettle depressions that subsequently filled with water to form the region's abundant lakes. The soil composition tends to be sandy and relatively thin in many places, with exposed bedrock occasionally visible.

Water Features

Water is a defining element of Mercer's topography. The area contains numerous lakes of varying sizes, including the notable Lake of the Falls, Grand Portage Lake, and the Martha Lake chain. The Manitowish River also flows through the region, contributing to the water-rich landscape. These water bodies significantly influence the local topography, creating natural boundaries and shaping the contours of the land.

Forest Coverage

Dense forest coverage is another prominent feature of the Mercer area. The region is part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, with mixed hardwood and coniferous forests dominating the landscape. These forests include species such as maple, oak, pine, and spruce. The extensive tree coverage creates a varying topographical profile and impacts land use considerations throughout the area.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas near Mercer that might be suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several topographical factors come into play. The most promising locations would be: Areas with cleared land that offer relatively flat terrain would be most suitable for solar PV development. Agricultural clearings and former timber harvest areas to the south and southwest of Mercer present opportunities where the land has already been modified from its natural state. Higher elevation plateaus that exist in the region, particularly those with southern exposure, would maximize solar collection potential. Some of these areas can be found in the slightly more elevated terrain to the northwest and northeast of Mercer. Former mining sites in the broader Iron County region could provide already-disturbed land suitable for solar development. These areas often have the advantage of existing access roads and sometimes proximity to transmission infrastructure.

Topographical Challenges

Despite these opportunities, the topography around Mercer does present certain challenges for large-scale solar development. The abundant wetlands and water bodies limit contiguous land availability. The region's forest density would necessitate clearing for any substantial installation, which carries ecological implications. Additionally, the gently rolling terrain might require some grading to create optimal surfaces for solar arrays. The northern latitude of Mercer (46.17°N) means that south-facing slopes would be particularly valuable for solar installations to maximize exposure. However, the overall modest relief of the terrain means truly steep slopes are relatively uncommon. Winter conditions in this northern region also present a topographical consideration, as snow accumulation can be significant and would need to be factored into any solar installation planning.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.