Solar PV Analysis of Grand Prairie, United States
Grand Prairie, Texas, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a relatively favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 32.7666 and longitude -97.0075 provides ample sunlight for solar power production, with varying levels of efficiency across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy output in Grand Prairie fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.00 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.43 kWh/day, while autumn produces a respectable 5.05 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output at 3.31 kWh/day, but still contributes meaningfully to overall annual production.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Grand Prairie, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 29-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the city's latitude, seasonal sun positions, and potential daily solar irradiance throughout the year.
Environmental Considerations
While Grand Prairie's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The region experiences occasional severe weather events, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, which could potentially damage solar installations. To mitigate this risk, it's crucial to use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels and mounting systems designed to withstand strong winds and hail.
Additionally, Grand Prairie's location in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex means it may experience some urban air pollution, which can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels can help offset this issue and maintain optimal performance.
Conclusion
Overall, Grand Prairie presents a good location for solar PV energy generation, with particularly strong potential during the summer months. While winter output is lower, the annual average remains favorable. By addressing potential weather-related risks and maintaining panels properly, residents and businesses in Grand Prairie can effectively harness solar energy throughout the year.
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 Grand Prairie
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 32.7666, Longitude: -97.0075 (Grand Prairie, 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 29° South in Grand Prairie, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Grand Prairie, United States (Lat/Long 32.7666, -97.0075) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Grand Prairie, 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 Grand Prairie, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17° South in Summer | 38° South in Autumn | 48° 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 Grand Prairie, 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 Grand Prairie, 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 Grand Prairie, United States
The topography around Grand Prairie, United States (located at latitude 32.7666 and longitude -97.0075) is generally characterized by relatively flat terrain with gentle rolling hills. This area is part of the larger North Central Texas region, which is known for its prairie landscapes.
Grand Prairie itself sits on what's called the Blackland Prairie, a region of dark, rich soils that extends through north-central Texas. The land is mostly level to gently undulating, with elevations ranging from about 450 to 600 feet above sea level. There are some slight variations in the landscape, including small creeks and streams that have carved shallow valleys over time.
To the west of Grand Prairie, the terrain becomes slightly more varied as it transitions into the Eastern Cross Timbers, an area with a mix of prairie and woodland. This region has a bit more topographic relief, with some low hills and more pronounced drainage patterns.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would likely be the flatter, open spaces to the east and southeast of Grand Prairie. These areas offer several advantages for solar development:
- They have fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels.
- The land is generally less expensive than areas closer to urban centers.
- There's typically more available space for large installations.
- The relatively flat terrain makes construction and maintenance easier.
Specific locations that might be suitable include the rural areas east of Grand Prairie, extending towards Forney and Terrell. These regions have expansive, open fields that receive ample sunlight throughout the year. Additionally, some of the less developed areas south of Grand Prairie, towards Midlothian and Waxahachie, could also offer good potential for solar PV projects.
It's important to note that while the topography is favorable, other factors such as local zoning laws, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the best locations for large-scale solar PV installations.
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: Saturday 3rd of August 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.
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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.
