Solar PV Analysis of Horseshoe Bend, United States
Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, in the United States is a decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, it's not ideal all year round due to variations in weather and sunlight during different seasons.
In simple terms, you can expect more electricity from your solar panels during the summer and spring than in autumn and winter. Specifically, each kilowatt of installed solar power will produce about 6.81 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and 5.49 kilowatt-hours per day in spring. In contrast, you'll get less energy output from your panels during autumn (4.38 kWh/day) and especially winter (2.56 kWh/day).
Therefore, if you're planning to install solar panels at this location for maximum efficiency throughout the year, it would be best to do so before summer or spring when they can generate most electricity.
For a fixed panel installation here at Horseshoe Bend, tilting them at an angle of 31 degrees facing south will provide optimal results for total annual production from your photovoltaic system.
As with any location though there are environmental or local factors that could affect how much energy your solar panels can produce.
Weather conditions such as heavy snowfall or foggy days may reduce sunlight reaching the panels thus reducing their output capacity; while dust particles or bird droppings on the surface of these modules might also interfere with their ability to absorb sunlight efficiently.
To mitigate these challenges:
1) Regular cleaning should be done especially after storms.
2) You might want to consider installing a device that monitors panel performance so that issues like shade or dirt accumulation affecting output can be detected early.
3) Also considering having some kind of mechanism that clears snow off automatically could help maintain optimum performance even through winter months.
4) Finally trees around installations should be trimmed back regularly as they grow since they could potentially block sunlight if left unchecked over time.
So while Horseshoe Bend isn't perfect for solar energy production all year round, with careful planning and maintenance it can still be a very viable location.
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 Horseshoe Bend
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.1986, Longitude: -91.7405 (Horseshoe Bend, 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 31° South in Horseshoe Bend, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Horseshoe Bend, United States (Lat/Long 36.1986, -91.7405) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Horseshoe Bend, 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 Horseshoe Bend, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° 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 | 41° South in Autumn | 51° South in Winter | 29° 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 Horseshoe Bend, 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 Horseshoe Bend, 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 Horseshoe Bend, United States
Horseshoe Bend, United States is located in the state of Arkansas. The topography around this area is characterized by a mix of flatlands and hilly terrains with forests, rivers, and lakes scattered throughout. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas that are relatively flat or gently sloping would be ideal to ensure maximum sun exposure and ease of installation. Considering these factors, the following nearby areas could be suited for such projects:
1. Flat agricultural lands: These spaces typically have good sun exposure and are relatively free from obstructions like trees or buildings that can cause shading issues.
2. Unused industrial lands: These sites often have existing infrastructure which can further facilitate the installation process.
3. Near highways or major roads: Such locations usually have good accessibility for transportation of materials and maintenance activities.
However, it's important to note that suitability also depends on other factors like local regulations, proximity to power grids for energy transmission, environmental impact assessments etc., which need thorough investigation before deciding on a location.
A detailed site survey using GIS data along with solar irradiance data specific to the region will give a better idea about suitable locations for large scale PV installations in this area.
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: Tuesday 11th 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.
