Lawton, Oklahoma, in the United States, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation, sitting in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 34.6196, -98.4543. The solar energy potential varies considerably throughout the year, with distinct seasonal patterns that affect electricity production.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Lawton demonstrate significant seasonal variations in energy output. Summer stands out as the most productive season, generating approximately 7.30kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.85kWh/day, while autumn produces 5.04kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest production at 3.32kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This seasonal pattern creates more than a twofold difference between summer and winter production rates, which is typical for mid-latitude locations like Lawton. The substantial summer production makes this an especially favorable time for solar energy generation, potentially producing excess energy that could offset the lower winter yields.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Lawton, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 31 degrees facing South. This specific angle optimizes the annual solar harvest by balancing seasonal variations and accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors in Lawton may impact solar production efficiency:

• Occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, could potentially damage solar installations if not properly secured.
• Dust and pollen accumulation is common in this region, which can reduce panel efficiency if not regularly cleaned.
• Summer heatwaves may slightly reduce panel efficiency, as solar panels typically lose efficiency when operating at very high temperatures.
• Winter ice and snow accumulation can temporarily block panels, though the region's relatively mild winters limit this concern compared to more northern locations.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production in Lawton, consider implementing these protective measures:

• Install sturdy mounting systems designed to withstand high winds common to Oklahoma.
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule, particularly during spring pollen season and after dust storms.
• Consider mounting panels with sufficient elevation from the roof to allow for air circulation, reducing heat-related efficiency losses.
• Install panels with a slightly steeper angle than the optimal 31 degrees if winter production is particularly important, as this helps snow and ice slide off more readily.
• Use microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.

With proper installation and maintenance, Lawton's substantial solar resources can be effectively harnessed throughout the year, with particularly strong production from late spring through early fall.

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 Lawton

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.6196, Longitude: -98.4543 (Lawton, 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 Lawton, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lawton, United States (Lat/Long 34.6196, -98.4543) 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 Lawton, 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 Lawton, 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
18° South in Summer	39° South in Autumn	50° South in Winter	28° 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 Lawton, 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 Lawton, 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 Lawton, United States

Lawton, Oklahoma is situated in the southwestern part of the state, nestled in a region characterized by diverse and interesting topographical features. The city itself lies in the Great Plains physiographic province, specifically in a transition zone between the Central Lowlands and the Reddish Prairies. This area features gently rolling plains with occasional hills and escarpments that break up the landscape. To the north and west of Lawton rise the Wichita Mountains, a striking ancient mountain range that stands in stark contrast to the surrounding plains. These mountains, composed primarily of granite and related igneous rocks, reach elevations of approximately 1,500 feet above sea level. Mount Scott, one of the prominent peaks in this range, offers panoramic views of the surrounding terrain. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge encompasses much of this mountainous area, preserving its unique ecological and geological characteristics.

Plains and Watersheds

The eastern and southern portions of the Lawton area transition into more level prairie lands. These plains are part of the larger Red River drainage basin, with several creeks and tributaries flowing through the region, eventually making their way to the Red River which forms the southern border between Oklahoma and Texas. Cache Creek and its tributaries represent significant waterways in the immediate vicinity of Lawton. These waterways have carved shallow valleys through the landscape over time, creating subtle topographic variations. The soils in this region range from sandy loams to clay, reflecting the area's complex geological history.

Solar PV Suitability

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the areas south and east of Lawton present the most favorable conditions. These relatively flat plains offer several advantages for solar development: The level terrain minimizes the need for extensive grading and site preparation, substantially reducing construction costs for large installations. These areas also tend to have fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar arrays, maximizing energy capture throughout the day. The lands to the southeast of Lawton, extending toward the communities of Geronimo and Walters, feature extensive agricultural and rangeland areas that could potentially accommodate utility-scale solar facilities while having minimal impact on sensitive ecological zones or densely populated areas. Areas to avoid would include the Wichita Mountains to the northwest, as these present challenges related to slope, accessibility, and environmental sensitivity. Additionally, the immediate floodplains of Cache Creek and other waterways would be poorly suited for solar development due to flooding risks. The Fort Sill Military Reservation occupies a significant portion of land north of Lawton, making those areas unavailable for commercial solar development. However, the military installation itself has potential for on-site renewable energy projects as part of Department of Defense sustainability initiatives. From a grid connectivity perspective, the presence of existing transmission infrastructure in the region, particularly along major transportation corridors like I-44, enhances the feasibility of connecting new solar generation to the broader electrical grid. The southwestern Oklahoma region benefits from strong solar radiation potential, making properly sited installations particularly productive compared to many other parts of the country.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.