Arkansas City, Kansas experiences significant seasonal variation in solar energy production, making it a moderately suitable location for solar PV installations in the Northern Temperate Zone.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar output data reveals a typical continental climate pattern with pronounced differences between seasons. Summer provides the highest energy production at 7.18 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, representing peak solar conditions. Spring offers good production levels at 5.45 kWh per day per kW, making it the second-best season for solar generation. Autumn production drops to 4.52 kWh per day per kW, while winter shows the lowest output at just 2.93 kWh per day per kW. This winter minimum represents less than half of the summer peak, highlighting the seasonal challenge for year-round solar energy planning. For optimal year-round performance, fixed solar panels at this location should be tilted at 33 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual energy production by balancing the sun's changing position throughout the year.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

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

• Severe weather events: Kansas is located in Tornado Alley, experiencing frequent thunderstorms, hail, and high winds that can damage solar panels
• Dust and agricultural particles: The rural agricultural setting means airborne dust, pollen, and crop residue can accumulate on panels, reducing efficiency
• Snow and ice coverage: Winter weather can cover panels with snow or ice, temporarily blocking energy production
• Temperature extremes: Very hot summers can reduce panel efficiency, while rapid temperature changes stress the equipment

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective. Impact-resistant panels rated for hail and high winds should be standard, along with robust mounting systems designed for severe weather conditions. Regular cleaning schedules become essential in this dusty agricultural environment. Installing panels at the optimal 33-degree tilt helps with natural rain cleaning and snow shedding. Some installations benefit from automated cleaning systems or easily accessible panel layouts for maintenance. Proper electrical grounding and surge protection systems protect against lightning damage from frequent thunderstorms. Battery storage systems can help capture excess summer production for use during lower-output winter months, evening out the seasonal variation that characterizes this location's 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 Arkansas City

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.0687, Longitude: -97.031 (Arkansas City, 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 33° South in Arkansas City, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Arkansas City, United States (Lat/Long 37.0687, -97.031) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Arkansas City, 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 Arkansas City, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
21° South in Summer	41° South in Autumn	52° South in Winter	30° 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 Arkansas City, 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 Arkansas City, 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 Arkansas City, United States

Topography of Arkansas City and Surrounding Region

Arkansas City sits in the south-central portion of Kansas, positioned within the Great Plains region where the landscape is characterized by gently rolling terrain and relatively modest elevation changes. The city is located at approximately 1,150 feet above sea level, nestled in an area where the Arkansas River meanders through the countryside before continuing its journey toward Oklahoma. The immediate vicinity around Arkansas City features predominantly flat to gently undulating topography, typical of the Kansas prairie landscape. The terrain consists of broad, open plains with occasional low hills and shallow valleys carved by seasonal waterways and tributaries feeding into the Arkansas River. These elevation changes are generally gradual, rarely exceeding 50 to 100 feet in difference across several miles. The Arkansas River serves as a significant geographical feature, flowing from west to east through the region. Along the river corridor, the landscape includes floodplains and terraces that create slightly more varied topography compared to the surrounding uplands. These areas feature fertile bottomland soils, though they may be subject to occasional flooding during periods of high water.

Soil and Land Characteristics

The soils throughout this region are predominantly deep, well-drained prairie soils that developed under native grassland vegetation. These soils are generally stable and well-suited for various land uses. The area experiences a continental climate with distinct seasons, and the open landscape provides excellent exposure to prevailing winds and weather patterns. Much of the land surrounding Arkansas City consists of agricultural fields, primarily used for wheat, corn, and sorghum production, along with cattle grazing operations. The agricultural nature of the region means that large tracts of relatively flat, open land are already cleared and accessible.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The topographical characteristics around Arkansas City present several advantages for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The most suitable areas would be the gently sloping upland areas located away from the immediate Arkansas River floodplain. These elevated plains offer stable ground conditions, minimal shading concerns, and reduced risk of flooding. Areas to the north and south of Arkansas City, extending into the broader prairie landscape, would be particularly well-suited for solar development. These locations feature the ideal combination of relatively flat terrain with gentle south-facing slopes that could optimize solar panel orientation. The open nature of the agricultural landscape means fewer obstacles such as trees or buildings that might create shading issues. The western and southwestern areas around the city also present good opportunities, where the terrain remains consistently flat with good drainage characteristics. These areas benefit from the typical Great Plains advantage of minimal topographical barriers that could interfere with solar collection efficiency. Areas immediately adjacent to the Arkansas River and its tributaries would be less suitable due to potential flooding risks and the presence of riparian vegetation. Additionally, any locations with significant tree cover or those in close proximity to existing urban development would present challenges for large-scale installations. The overall geological stability of the region, combined with its agricultural infrastructure including existing road networks and electrical transmission capabilities, makes the Arkansas City area generally favorable for solar energy development across much of its surrounding landscape.

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.