De Queen, Arkansas, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 34.048, -94.3387, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location shows strong summer performance with solar panels generating 6.69 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity during the peak season. Spring follows as the second-best performing season at 5.15 kWh/day per kW, while autumn drops to 4.42 kWh/day per kW. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with output falling to just 2.63 kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity. This seasonal pattern means that solar installations in De Queen will produce approximately 2.5 times more electricity during summer months compared to winter. The spring and summer months from March through September represent the optimal period for solar generation at this location.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at De Queen, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 30 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting the angles based on actual solar irradiance data and daily photovoltaic potential.

Local Environmental Challenges

Several environmental and weather factors in the De Queen area can significantly impact solar energy production:

• Severe Weather Events: Arkansas experiences frequent thunderstorms, hail, and occasional tornadoes that can damage solar panels and reduce output
• High Humidity and Heat: The subtropical climate creates conditions that can reduce panel efficiency and accelerate equipment degradation
• Ice Storms: Winter ice accumulation can completely block solar panels and potentially cause structural damage
• Heavy Rainfall: Extended periods of rain and overcast skies can significantly reduce solar production
• Dust and Pollen: The region's vegetation and agricultural activity can lead to panel soiling that reduces efficiency

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several preventative measures should be implemented:

• Impact-Resistant Panels: Install panels rated for hail impact and high wind loads to withstand severe weather
• Proper Ventilation: Ensure adequate airflow behind panels to reduce heat buildup and maintain efficiency in hot, humid conditions
• Quality Mounting Systems: Use corrosion-resistant mounting hardware designed for humid climates with proper drainage
• Regular Cleaning Schedule: Implement routine panel cleaning to remove dust, pollen, and debris accumulation
• Monitoring Systems: Install performance monitoring to quickly identify and address production issues
• Strategic Positioning: Consider micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize impact when individual panels are shaded or soiled

While De Queen's location offers decent solar potential, particularly during the warmer months, the significant seasonal variation and local environmental challenges require careful planning and quality installation practices to ensure optimal long-term performance of any solar energy system.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 De Queen

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.048, Longitude: -94.3387 (De Queen, 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 30° South in De Queen, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in De Queen, United States (Lat/Long 34.048, -94.3387) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 De Queen, 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 De Queen, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
18° South in Summer	39° South in Autumn	50° South in Winter	27° 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 De Queen, 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 De Queen, 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 De Queen, United States

Topographical Features Around De Queen

De Queen sits in the rolling hills of southwestern Arkansas, positioned within the Ouachita Mountains region. The landscape around this small city is characterized by moderate elevation changes, with the town itself resting at approximately 400 feet above sea level. The terrain features a mix of gentle slopes and more pronounced ridges that extend in an east-west direction, following the typical geological patterns of the Ouachita Mountain system.

The immediate area around De Queen displays a combination of forested hills and cleared valleys, with elevations ranging from about 300 feet in the lower valleys to over 800 feet on some of the higher ridges. The topography creates a somewhat undulating landscape that includes both steep-sided hollows and broader, more gradual slopes. Many of the hillsides have been cleared for agriculture or development, while others remain covered in mixed hardwood and pine forests.

Water features play a significant role in shaping the local topography. The Rolling Fork River flows through the region, creating flatter bottomland areas that contrast with the surrounding hills. Several smaller creeks and tributaries have carved their own valleys through the landscape, contributing to the varied elevation profile of the area.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around De Queen would be found on the cleared agricultural bottomlands and gentle slopes that face southward. These areas offer the dual advantages of relatively flat terrain that minimizes installation costs and optimal solar exposure throughout the day. The river valleys, particularly those running east-west, provide expansive flat areas that would accommodate large solar arrays without the need for extensive grading or terracing.

South-facing slopes with gradients of less than 10 degrees represent another excellent opportunity for solar development. These locations benefit from natural positioning that maximizes solar collection while still maintaining reasonable construction and maintenance access. The cleared agricultural land on these gentle slopes would require minimal site preparation compared to forested areas or steeper terrain.

Areas to avoid for large-scale solar development include the steeper north-facing slopes, heavily forested ridgelines, and narrow valleys that experience significant shading from surrounding hills. The more rugged terrain found on the higher elevations would present both construction challenges and reduced solar efficiency due to irregular ground conditions and potential shading issues.

The cleared farmland and pastures scattered throughout the region offer particularly attractive development opportunities. These areas typically have existing road access, minimal tree coverage, and soil conditions that have already been disturbed, making them ideal candidates for solar installation. The relatively stable clay and sandy loam soils common in the cleared areas provide good foundation conditions for solar mounting systems.

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.