Kilgore, Texas, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, presents a relatively favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal solar output varies significantly, with peak production occurring during the summer months.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.84 kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.36 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decline to 4.77 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.80 kWh/day.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in Kilgore. Despite the winter dip, the location still maintains a respectable year-round average, making it a viable option for solar PV installations.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Kilgore, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 28-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year, accounting for the sun's changing position across seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Kilgore's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

1. Humidity: The region's subtropical climate can lead to high humidity levels, potentially affecting panel efficiency.
2. Storms: Occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, may pose risks to solar installations.

To mitigate these challenges, installers should use high-quality, weather-resistant panels and robust mounting systems. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help combat efficiency loss due to humidity-related dust accumulation. Additionally, incorporating a battery storage system can provide backup power during severe weather events.

Overall, Kilgore, Texas offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation, with strong performance during spring and summer months compensating for reduced winter output. By optimizing panel placement and addressing environmental factors, solar installations in this area can achieve reliable year-round energy production.

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 Kilgore

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 32.382, Longitude: -94.8687 (Kilgore, 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 28° South in Kilgore, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kilgore, United States (Lat/Long 32.382, -94.8687) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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 Kilgore, 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 Kilgore, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
16° South in Summer	37° South in Autumn	48° South in Winter	25° 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 Kilgore, 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 Kilgore, 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 Kilgore, United States

The area surrounding Kilgore, Texas, located at approximately 32.382°N latitude and 94.8687°W longitude, is characterized by gently rolling hills and a mix of forested and open landscapes. This region, part of East Texas, features a blend of pine and hardwood forests interspersed with cleared areas for agriculture and ranching. The terrain is generally mild, with subtle elevation changes and occasional small valleys created by streams and creeks. Kilgore itself sits on a slightly elevated area, with the land gradually sloping down towards the south and east. The topography becomes more pronounced as you move further east towards the Texas-Louisiana border, where the terrain becomes increasingly hilly and forested. To the west and northwest, the landscape transitions into more open prairies and grasslands.

Solar PV Potential

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would be relatively flat, open areas with good sun exposure and minimal shading from trees or other obstacles. Based on the topography around Kilgore, the following areas might be most suitable: The regions to the west and northwest of Kilgore, where the landscape opens up into more expansive prairies, could offer promising locations for solar farms. These areas typically have fewer trees and more consistent elevation, which is beneficial for solar panel placement. Some of the cleared agricultural lands to the south and southeast of Kilgore might also be suitable, provided they are not prone to flooding. These areas often have good sun exposure and relatively flat terrain, making them potential candidates for solar PV installations. It's important to note that while the topography around Kilgore is generally favorable for solar energy, other factors such as local zoning laws, proximity to power infrastructure, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when planning large-scale solar projects in the region.

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.