Solar PV Analysis of Jay, United States
Jay, Oklahoma, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar energy production varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during summer months and reduced output in winter.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.95 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.22 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a slight decline in production at 4.47 kWh/day/kW, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.73 kWh/day/kW.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in Jay. This pattern is typical for locations in the Northern Temperate Zone, where daylight hours and sun angle change significantly throughout the year.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Jay, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 32 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun and the lower winter sun angle.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Jay's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental and weather factors to consider:
- Occasional severe weather events, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, which may damage solar installations if not properly secured.
- Potential for snow accumulation in winter, which can temporarily reduce panel efficiency.
To mitigate these risks, solar installations in Jay should include robust mounting systems designed to withstand high winds. Additionally, panels should be installed at an angle that facilitates natural snow shedding, and regular maintenance should include snow removal when necessary.
Despite these challenges, Jay's location offers a good balance of solar potential throughout the year, making it a viable option for those considering solar energy adoption. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in Jay can provide significant energy production, particularly during the spring and 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 Jay
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.4372, Longitude: -94.7719 (Jay, 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 32° South in Jay, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Jay, United States (Lat/Long 36.4372, -94.7719) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Jay, 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 Jay, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° 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 | 52° South in Winter | 30° 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 Jay, 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 Jay, 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 Jay, United States
The area around Jay, United States, located at 36.4372° North latitude and 94.7719° West longitude, is characterized by a diverse and gently rolling topography typical of the Ozark Plateau region. This part of northeastern Oklahoma features a mix of low hills, shallow valleys, and scattered flat areas.
The landscape is predominantly rural, with a blend of open fields, pastures, and forested areas. Small streams and creeks crisscross the terrain, creating minor valleys and drainage patterns throughout the region. The elevation in this area generally ranges from about 800 to 1,200 feet above sea level, with some higher points reaching up to 1,500 feet.
While the topography is not dramatically mountainous, it does have enough variation to create a picturesque setting. The gentle slopes and rolling hills are interspersed with occasional flat-topped ridges and broader valley floors. This undulating landscape is a result of long-term erosion of the underlying limestone and other sedimentary rocks that make up the Ozark Plateau.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the most promising locations would be the relatively flat, open spaces found in the broader valley floors and on top of some of the more expansive ridges. These areas would provide the necessary space and exposure to sunlight required for efficient solar energy production.
Ideal sites for solar PV would be those with minimal tree cover, good southern exposure, and easy access to existing power infrastructure. Some of the cleared agricultural lands and pastures in the vicinity of Jay could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production. However, care would need to be taken to balance energy needs with preserving the region's agricultural heritage and natural beauty.
It's worth noting that while the topography around Jay is generally favorable for solar PV, the region's climate, including periods of cloud cover and potential for severe weather, would need to be carefully considered in any large-scale solar energy planning. Additionally, local zoning regulations and environmental impact assessments would play a crucial role in determining the feasibility and exact locations of any significant solar installations in the 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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 19th of September 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.
