Solar PV Analysis of Cape Girardeau, United States
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, located in the Northern Temperate Zone of the United States, is a decent location for year-round energy generation via solar PV. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar varies throughout the year. In simple terms, you'll get more power when there's more sunlight.
During summer months when days are longest and sunniest, one can expect to generate about 6.66 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar. This drops down to 4.18 kWh/day in autumn as daylight hours decrease and sun intensity lessens.
Winter sees the lowest output at around 2.44 kWh/day due to shorter days and lower sun angle. However, it starts improving again in spring with an average production rate of 5.54 kWh/day per kW.
So basically, if you're thinking about generating solar energy at this location - summer and spring would be your best bets because these seasons offer longer sunlight hours resulting in higher energy production.
Now let's talk about installation specifics: For fixed panel installations here, tilting panels towards south at an angle of approximately 32 degrees will maximize total annual production from your solar PV system.
As for potential hindrances to producing solar power in Cape Girardeau; cloud cover may affect productivity as it reduces sunlight reaching your panels but this is not a significant issue most times since even on cloudy days some light still gets through which means electricity can still be generated albeit less than under direct sunshine conditions.
Another factor could be snowfall during winter months which could obstruct sunlight if allowed to accumulate on panels' surface but this isn't a major concern either as Cape Girardeau doesn't experience heavy snowfall typically plus any accumulation usually melts relatively quickly due to sun’s heat absorbed by black color of panels or can easily be cleaned off manually or using automatic cleaning systems available nowadays designed specifically for such purposes.
So in conclusion, while there are slight seasonal variations and minor weather-related hitches, Cape Girardeau is a pretty good spot for solar energy production year-round with proper installation and maintenance.
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 Cape Girardeau
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.3175, Longitude: -89.5459 (Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cape Girardeau, United States (Lat/Long 37.3175, -89.5459) 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 Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, 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 | 42° 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 Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, United States
Cape Girardeau is located in the state of Missouri, United States. The city is situated along the western bank of the Mississippi River and has a relatively flat topography with some rolling hills. It's part of the larger Mississippi Alluvial Plain which is known for its fertile soil.
The region experiences a humid subtropical climate, making it suitable for solar power generation. However, as far as large-scale solar PV installations are concerned, open and flat areas would be more appropriate to accommodate such systems.
In terms of specific locations around Cape Girardeau that could potentially house large-scale solar PV systems:
1) Farmlands: There are several farming regions around Cape Girardeau that have plenty of open space receiving ample sunlight throughout most parts of the year. These lands could be dual-purposed to host solar panels while still maintaining agricultural activities underneath or between panel rows.
2) Unused Lands: Any unused or barren lands in and around Cape Girardeau can also be considered for setting up large-scale solar PV projects given they receive sufficient sunlight exposure.
3) Industrial Zones: Large industrial zones with expansive rooftops can also serve as potential sites for installing rooftop solar panels.
It's important to note that any decision on where to install a large-scale solar system should consider multiple factors like land availability, sun exposure, proximity to power grids, local regulations etc., not just topography alone.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 9th of July 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.
