Solar PV Analysis of Blanchard, United States
Blanchard, Oklahoma, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a reasonably good location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The site's latitude and longitude coordinates (35.1184, -97.6407) place it in a region with varying solar potential across seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Blanchard fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.14 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.49 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a moderate decline to 4.87 kWh/day/kW, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.20 kWh/day/kW.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Blanchard, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 31-degree angle facing south. This optimal tilt angle takes into account the location's latitude, seasonal sun positions, and potential daily solar irradiance throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Blanchard generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental and weather factors to consider:
- Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes: Oklahoma is prone to severe weather events, particularly during spring and early summer. These storms can potentially damage solar installations if not properly secured.
- Hail: The region experiences occasional hailstorms, which could impact solar panel integrity.
To mitigate these risks, solar installations in Blanchard should incorporate robust mounting systems designed to withstand high winds. Additionally, using impact-resistant solar panels and protective covers during severe weather events can help safeguard the system from hail damage.
Conclusion
Despite some seasonal variations and potential weather-related challenges, Blanchard, Oklahoma, presents a generally favorable location for solar PV energy generation. With proper installation techniques and protective measures, solar panels in this area can provide substantial energy output throughout the year, particularly during the summer and spring months.
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 Blanchard
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.1184, Longitude: -97.6407 (Blanchard, 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 31° South in Blanchard, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Blanchard, United States (Lat/Long 35.1184, -97.6407) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Blanchard, 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 Blanchard, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° South in Summer | 40° South in Autumn | 50° South in Winter | 29° 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 Blanchard, 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 Blanchard, 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 Blanchard, United States
The topography around Blanchard, Oklahoma, located at 35.1184°N and 97.6407°W, is characterized by gently rolling hills and prairies typical of the Great Plains region. The area is situated in the Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains ecoregion, which features a mix of grasslands and scattered woodlands.
The terrain in and around Blanchard is generally flat to slightly undulating, with elevations ranging from about 1,100 to 1,300 feet above sea level. The landscape is dotted with small creeks and streams, which have carved shallow valleys into the otherwise relatively level terrain. To the east of Blanchard, the land gradually becomes more hilly as it approaches the Cross Timbers region.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would be the open, flat to gently sloping lands surrounding Blanchard. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy development:
- Abundant open space with minimal obstruction from trees or buildings
- Generally south-facing slopes, which are ideal for maximizing solar exposure
- Relatively stable soil conditions, reducing the risk of land subsidence or erosion
- Proximity to existing infrastructure, including roads and power transmission lines
Specifically, the agricultural lands to the south and west of Blanchard would likely be the most suitable for large-scale solar PV projects. These areas tend to have fewer residential developments and more expansive, uninterrupted stretches of land. The relatively flat terrain in these directions would minimize the need for extensive grading and site preparation, potentially reducing construction costs.
It's worth noting that while the topography is generally favorable for solar development, other factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and grid connection availability would also need to be taken into account when planning a large-scale solar PV installation in the Blanchard area.
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: Saturday 28th 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.
