Solar PV Analysis of Gardner, United States
Gardner, Kansas is a pretty good place to generate energy from solar panels throughout the year. However, the amount of electricity you can produce varies significantly by season.
In simple terms, for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you install, you could expect to generate about 6.72 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each day in summer and about 5.12 kWh/day in spring which are the best times of year for solar power generation at this location due to longer daylight hours and higher sun intensity. In autumn, this figure drops to around 4.10 kWh/day because there's less sunlight as days get shorter.
Winter sees the least productivity with only approximately 2.61 kWh/day generated per kW installed due to fewer daylight hours and lower sun intensity during these months.
To make sure your solar panels work as effectively as possible all year round in Gardner, it's recommended that they're installed at an angle facing southwards tilted at about 34 degrees; this position will help capture maximum sunlight over the course of a year.
However, local factors like weather conditions could potentially impede your panel’s ability to produce power efficiently. For instance, Gardner experiences both snowfall in winter and thunderstorms primarily during spring and summer which can cover or damage panels respectively reducing their efficiency temporarily until cleared or repaired.
To counteract these issues:
1) You might consider installing sensors that detect snowfall or heavy dust accumulation on your panels so they can be cleaned off promptly ensuring they continue working optimally.
2) To protect against potential storm damage such as hailstones or falling tree branches particularly during thunderstorm seasons; durable protective covers may be used when storms are forecasted while regular trimming of overhanging trees near panel installations may also prevent any accidental damages from falling branches.
Despite these challenges though with some preventative measures taken into account; Gardner still remains a viable location for solar power generation with its ample sunlight especially during summer and spring.
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 Gardner
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.806, Longitude: -94.9327 (Gardner, 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 34° South in Gardner, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gardner, United States (Lat/Long 38.806, -94.9327) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Gardner, 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 Gardner, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23° South in Summer | 43° South in Autumn | 54° South in Winter | 32° 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 Gardner, 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 Gardner, 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 Gardner, United States
Gardner, United States is located in the state of Kansas and features a relatively flat landscape, typical of the Great Plains region. The area is characterized by grasslands with some forested areas and agricultural land use.
As for solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are ideal as they require less site preparation and can accommodate more solar panels. Therefore, the open grasslands around Gardner would be suitable for large-scale solar PV projects. Additionally, any unused agricultural lands could also be converted into solar farms if necessary.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar power isn't just about topography. Factors such as local climate (amount of sunlight), grid connectivity and local regulations should also be considered when planning large-scale solar projects.
In terms of sunlight exposure, Kansas generally has good potential for photovoltaic energy production due to its high average annual sunshine hours compared to other states in the U.S.
Moreover, proximity to existing power grids is crucial as it helps reduce costs related to transmission infrastructure development.
Lastly but importantly, one must ensure that there aren't any restrictive zoning laws or regulations that might hinder such developments in Gardner or nearby areas.
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: Monday 10th of June 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.
