Solar Energy Production in Garnett, Kansas

Garnett, Kansas, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 38.2806, -95.2419, offers reasonably good conditions for solar PV energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations. This location experiences its peak solar production during summer months, with a substantial drop during winter.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production in Garnett follows a predictable seasonal pattern:

• Summer: 6.89 kWh/day per kW installed (highest production)
• Spring: 5.15 kWh/day per kW installed
• Autumn: 4.16 kWh/day per kW installed
• Winter: 2.68 kWh/day per kW installed (lowest production)

This pattern shows that summer months are ideal for solar energy generation in Garnett, with production levels more than 2.5 times higher than during winter months. Spring offers the second-best production period, making the warmer half of the year (spring through summer) particularly advantageous for solar energy collection.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Garnett, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated by analyzing solar elevation angles at this specific latitude, weighted by the daily PV potential based on NASA's solar irradiance data, and accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors could potentially impact solar production in Garnett: Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce production if panels become covered. Installing panels at the recommended 34-degree tilt helps with natural snow shedding, though manual clearing may occasionally be necessary during heavy snowfall events. Kansas experiences severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes, particularly during spring and summer. Robust mounting systems rated for high wind loads are essential for this region. Hail protection measures, such as temporary covers or hail-resistant panel models, should be considered. Dust and pollen accumulation, especially during agricultural seasons, can gradually reduce panel efficiency. Implementing a regular cleaning schedule or installing automated cleaning systems can help maintain optimal performance. Garnett experiences hot summer temperatures that can slightly reduce panel efficiency. Ensuring adequate airflow behind panels through proper mounting techniques can help mitigate this effect. Overall, with proper installation techniques addressing these regional factors, Garnett provides a viable location for solar PV systems, with particularly strong production potential during the summer 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 Garnett

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.2806, Longitude: -95.2419 (Garnett, 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 Garnett, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Garnett, United States (Lat/Long 38.2806, -95.2419) 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 Garnett, 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 Garnett, 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
22° South in Summer	43° South in Autumn	53° 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 Garnett, 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 Garnett, 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 Garnett, United States

The topography around Garnett, Kansas is characterized by gently rolling hills and plains typical of the eastern Kansas landscape. Located in Anderson County, the area sits within the Osage Plains physiographic region, which forms part of the larger Central Lowlands province. The terrain features modest elevation changes with gradual slopes rather than dramatic relief. The elevation in Garnett is approximately 1,050 feet (320 meters) above sea level, with the surrounding landscape varying only modestly from this baseline. The area is dissected by several small streams and creeks that are part of the Marais des Cygnes River watershed. These waterways have carved shallow valleys throughout the region, creating a subtly varied landscape. The Pottawatomie Creek flows near Garnett, contributing to the area's drainage pattern. These water features have shaped the land over time, creating gentle undulations rather than steep terrain. Vegetation in the region consists primarily of mixed prairie grasses, agricultural land, and scattered woodlands, especially along waterways. The natural landscape has been significantly modified by agricultural activity, with many of the original prairie ecosystems converted to farmland over the past century and a half.

Solar PV Suitability

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the most suitable areas near Garnett would be the relatively flat agricultural lands that predominate in the region. These areas offer several advantages for solar development: The gently sloping farmlands to the east and south of Garnett present excellent opportunities for solar development. These areas combine favorable topography with good access to existing roads and transmission infrastructure. The modest slopes in these areas provide sufficient drainage while minimizing the earthwork required for installation. Open agricultural fields that are currently used for row crops could be particularly suitable, as they are already cleared of trees and have minimal shading issues. The conversion from agricultural use to solar would be relatively straightforward from a land preparation perspective. Areas with southern exposure would be particularly valuable for solar PV installations. Some of the subtle ridgelines in the region that face south would offer enhanced performance for fixed-tilt solar arrays by maximizing direct sunlight capture throughout the day. The relatively flat plateaus between stream valleys would also be ideal locations, as they tend to have good drainage while avoiding flood-prone lowlands. These areas typically have minimal tree cover and would require less site preparation. Land parcels near existing electrical substations or transmission lines would reduce the costs associated with grid interconnection. Several such opportunities exist in the vicinity of Garnett, particularly along the major transportation corridors. The region's topography generally presents few constraints to solar development, with minimal steep slopes or terrain features that would complicate construction or maintenance. The primary considerations would be avoiding floodplains along the streams and selecting sites with minimal shading from the scattered woodlands that dot the landscape.

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.