Solar PV Analysis of Kearney, United States
The location at Kearney, Nebraska in the United States is moderately suitable for generating energy via solar PV year-round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kW of installed solar varies throughout the year, with Summer being the most productive season and Winter being the least.
During Summer, you can expect to generate around 7.35kWh per day for every kW of installed solar. This makes it an ideal time to generate solar power due to longer daylight hours and higher sun intensity. In Autumn, this figure drops to about 4.13kWh/day due to shorter days and lower sun intensity.
Winter sees a further drop in output down to approximately 2.90kWh/day because of even shorter daylight hours and low sun position above horizon which reduces sunlight exposure on panels. Springtime brings an increase again up to about 5.67kWh/day as daylight hours start increasing again.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, the best angle for your panels would be tilted towards South at about 36 degrees - this will help maximize total production from your solar PV system over the entire year.
As far as environmental or weather factors are concerned that could impact your solar production at Kearney, Nebraska:
1) Snowfall during winter months could cover up panels reducing their sunlight exposure.
2) Dust storms might also reduce efficiency by depositing dust on panel surfaces.
3) Hailstorms may cause physical damage if they are severe enough.
To counter these issues:
1) Regular cleaning or snow removal services can keep panels clear.
2) Using sturdy materials when installing your system can help protect against hail damage.
3) Installing systems with tracking capabilities could also optimize sunlight capture during different times of day or seasons but comes with additional costs compared to fixed installations.
Overall, while there are challenges associated with seasonal changes and potential weather disturbances in Kearney, Nebraska; careful planning & maintenance can still make it a viable location for solar power generation.
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 Kearney
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.7574, Longitude: -99.1408 (Kearney, 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 36° South in Kearney, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kearney, United States (Lat/Long 40.7574, -99.1408) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Kearney, 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 Kearney, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 55° South in Winter | 34° 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 Kearney, 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 Kearney, 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 Kearney, United States
Kearney, Nebraska is located in the Great Plains region of United States. The topography around Kearney is relatively flat with some gentle rolling hills. It's largely comprised of grasslands and agricultural fields.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are generally preferred as they require less site preparation and are easier to install and maintain. Therefore, the abundant open spaces and farmlands around Kearney would be well-suited for this purpose.
In terms of sun exposure, Nebraska receives a significant amount of sunlight throughout the year which makes it suitable for solar energy generation. Additionally, locations that are not heavily shaded by trees or other structures would be ideal for maximizing sunlight capture.
However, before proceeding with any large-scale installation project, environmental impact assessments should be performed to ensure that the proposed development does not negatively affect local ecosystems or wildlife habitats. Also necessary permissions from landowners and local authorities must be obtained.
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: Friday 3rd of May 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.
