Cushing, Oklahoma, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal variations in solar output provide insights into its potential for solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy generation in Cushing, with an impressive 6.97 kWh per day output for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, yielding 5.28 kWh per day. Autumn sees a slight decrease in output at 4.74 kWh per day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 3.00 kWh per day.

These figures indicate that Cushing experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy potential. The summer months, particularly June through August, offer the most ideal conditions for solar power generation. Spring and early autumn also provide favorable conditions, making March through May and September through October good periods for solar energy production.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Cushing, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 32 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Cushing generally offers good conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental and weather factors to consider:

1. Severe weather: Oklahoma is prone to thunderstorms, tornadoes, and occasional hail, which could potentially damage solar panels.
2. Dust and pollen: The region's agricultural activities and natural vegetation can lead to dust and pollen accumulation on panels, reducing efficiency.

To mitigate these factors, consider installing hail-resistant panels and implementing a regular cleaning schedule. Additionally, mounting systems designed to withstand high winds can help protect the panels during severe weather events.

Overall, while Cushing faces some challenges, its location still provides a good opportunity for solar energy generation, especially during the summer and spring months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can be an effective source of renewable energy in this area.

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 Cushing

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.982, Longitude: -96.7442 (Cushing, 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 Cushing, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cushing, United States (Lat/Long 35.982, -96.7442) 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 Cushing, 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 Cushing, 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
20° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	51° 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 Cushing, 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 Cushing, 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 Cushing, United States

The topography around Cushing, Oklahoma, is characterized by gently rolling hills and plains typical of the Great Plains region. The area is situated in the Central Lowlands physiographic province, which features a relatively flat landscape with subtle elevation changes. The terrain is predominantly composed of low-lying prairies and grasslands, interspersed with scattered woodlands and small streams. Cushing sits at an elevation of approximately 930 feet (283 meters) above sea level. The surrounding landscape gradually slopes downward towards the east and southeast, where the Deep Fork River flows. To the west and northwest, the terrain becomes slightly more elevated and undulating, with occasional small hills and ridges. The region's geology is primarily composed of sedimentary rocks, including sandstone, shale, and limestone. These formations have been shaped over millions of years by erosion and deposition, resulting in the current gentle topography. The soil in the area is generally fertile, supporting agriculture and grasslands.

Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Cushing, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would typically be: 1. Open, flat terrain: The gently rolling plains to the east and southeast of Cushing offer expansive, unobstructed areas that could accommodate large solar arrays. These locations would minimize the need for extensive land grading and maximize sun exposure throughout the day. 2. Agricultural land: Some of the less productive agricultural lands in the region could be repurposed for solar energy production. These areas often have the advantage of being already cleared and having existing access roads. 3. Elevated areas: The slightly higher ground to the west and northwest of Cushing might provide good locations for solar installations. These elevated sites could potentially receive more direct sunlight and experience less shading from surrounding vegetation or structures. 4. Areas near existing infrastructure: Locations close to power transmission lines and substations would be advantageous for connecting the solar installations to the grid. Cushing's role as an oil storage and pipeline hub means that some energy infrastructure is already in place in the region. 5. Brownfield sites: Any former industrial or commercial sites in the area that are no longer in use could be ideal for solar development, as they often have the necessary infrastructure and minimal environmental impact. It's important to note that while the topography around Cushing is generally favorable for solar PV installations, other factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and grid capacity would also need to be taken into account when selecting specific sites for large-scale solar projects.

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.