Solar PV Analysis of Harrison, Michigan, United States
Harrison, Michigan, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar power production varies significantly across seasons, reflecting the typical climate patterns of the region.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Harrison, with an impressive daily output of 6.36 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.54 kWh/day. These seasons offer ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
However, the picture changes dramatically during the colder months. Autumn sees a substantial drop in production to 3.28 kWh/day, while winter performance plummets to a mere 1.73 kWh/day. This stark seasonal variation highlights the challenges of relying solely on solar power in this location year-round.
Optimizing Solar Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Harrison, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 36 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the sun's changing position across seasons.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several factors can impact solar production in Harrison:
- Snow accumulation in winter can significantly reduce panel efficiency
- Cloudy days, particularly common in autumn and winter, decrease solar output
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off. Additionally, using high-efficiency panels and ensuring regular maintenance can help maximize production even in less-than-ideal conditions.
In conclusion, while Harrison's location is excellent for solar energy production during spring and summer, the significant drop in autumn and winter output means that a hybrid energy solution or energy storage system might be necessary for year-round reliability.
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 Harrison, Michigan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.5901, Longitude: -82.8214 (Harrison, 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 Harrison, Michigan, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Harrison, Michigan, United States (Lat/Long 42.5901, -82.8214) 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 Harrison, 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 Harrison, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° 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 Harrison, 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 Harrison, 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 Harrison, Michigan, United States
The area around Harrison, United States (located at 42.5901°N, 82.8214°W) is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of the Great Lakes region. This location is situated in Macomb County, Michigan, near the western shore of Lake St. Clair. The topography in this area is generally described as a low-lying plain with very gentle slopes and minimal elevation changes.
The landscape is primarily composed of glacial till plains, formed by the retreat of glaciers during the last ice age. As a result, the terrain is mostly level to gently rolling, with occasional small hills and shallow depressions. The elevation in this region typically ranges from about 570 to 610 feet (174 to 186 meters) above sea level, with very gradual changes across the area.
Due to its proximity to Lake St. Clair, the region also features some wetland areas and small streams that drain into the lake. These water features create minor variations in the local topography but do not significantly alter the overall flat nature of the landscape.
Areas Suited for Large-Scale Solar PV
When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Harrison, several factors should be taken into account. The most suitable areas for solar PV development would likely be found in the rural and agricultural lands surrounding Harrison and other nearby communities.
Ideal locations for solar PV installations would include:
- Open farmland: The abundance of flat, cleared agricultural land in the region provides excellent opportunities for solar farm development. These areas often have minimal shading and good sun exposure.
- Former industrial sites: Repurposing brownfield sites or unused industrial land for solar installations could be a viable option, particularly in more urbanized areas near Harrison.
- Large, open spaces away from residential areas: Areas with minimal population density and fewer potential conflicts with existing land uses would be preferable for large-scale solar projects.
It's important to note that while the topography in this region is generally favorable for solar PV installations, other factors such as local zoning regulations, grid connection availability, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the most suitable locations for large-scale solar development.
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: Wednesday 4th of September 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.
