Bartlesville, Oklahoma, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar potential varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during summer months and a noticeable decline in winter.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with solar panels generating an impressive 7.03 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, yielding 5.17 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decline to 4.45 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.75 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Bartlesville enjoys favorable conditions for solar energy production for much of the year, particularly from late spring through early fall. However, the significant drop in winter output suggests that supplementary energy sources may be necessary during colder months.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Bartlesville, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 32 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Bartlesville's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, could potentially damage solar installations.
• Winter ice storms, though infrequent, may temporarily reduce panel efficiency.

To mitigate these risks, it's advisable to use durable, weather-resistant solar panels and mounting systems. Additionally, regular maintenance and prompt snow or ice removal can help ensure consistent energy production throughout the year.

In conclusion, while Bartlesville may not be an ideal location for year-round solar energy production due to its seasonal variations, it still offers significant potential, especially during the warmer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can be a valuable component of the local energy mix.

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 Bartlesville

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.7407, Longitude: -95.9272 (Bartlesville, 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 32° South in Bartlesville, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bartlesville, United States (Lat/Long 36.7407, -95.9272) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Bartlesville, 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 Bartlesville, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° 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 Bartlesville, 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 Bartlesville, 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 Bartlesville, United States

The topography around Bartlesville, Oklahoma, is characterized by gently rolling hills and prairies typical of the Great Plains region. The landscape is a mix of open grasslands, scattered woodlands, and shallow valleys carved by small rivers and streams. The Caney River, a major waterway in the area, meanders through the region, creating a subtle valley that adds variety to the otherwise relatively flat terrain. To the east of Bartlesville, the land gradually becomes more rugged as it transitions into the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. This area features more pronounced hills and denser forests. To the west, the terrain becomes increasingly flat, with vast expanses of prairie stretching towards the horizon.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

The areas most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Bartlesville would be the open, flat prairies to the west and southwest of the city. These locations offer several advantages for solar energy development: 1. Abundant open space: The expansive prairies provide ample room for large solar arrays without the need for significant land clearing or terraforming. 2. Minimal shading: The flat terrain and lack of tall vegetation or geographical features mean there are fewer obstacles to block sunlight, maximizing solar energy capture throughout the day. 3. Easy access: The relatively flat land allows for easier construction and maintenance of solar installations, reducing overall project costs. 4. Proximity to infrastructure: The area around Bartlesville has existing electrical infrastructure, which could potentially be utilized to connect new solar farms to the grid. While the immediate vicinity of Bartlesville may have some suitable locations, the most ideal areas for large-scale solar PV would likely be found further west, where the terrain becomes even flatter and more open. These areas would provide the optimal conditions for maximizing solar energy production while minimizing environmental impact and construction challenges. It's important to note that any large-scale solar project would require detailed site assessments, environmental impact studies, and coordination with local authorities and landowners before proceeding. The suitability of specific locations would depend on factors such as soil conditions, local wildlife, and proximity to transmission infrastructure.

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.