Solar PV Analysis of Leawood, United States
Leawood, Kansas, located in the United States, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 6.72 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.12 kWh/day. Autumn sees a decrease in production to 4.10 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.61 kWh/day.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in Leawood. This pattern suggests that solar installations in this area will be most effective from late spring through early fall, with peak performance during the summer months.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Leawood, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 34 degrees facing south. This orientation ensures optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Leawood's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact efficiency:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel output.
- Occasional severe storms, including hail, may pose a risk to solar installations.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off and using hail-resistant panels. Regular maintenance and cleaning, especially after snowfall or storms, can help maintain optimal performance.
Overall, Leawood presents a good opportunity for solar PV energy generation, with strong potential during warmer months offsetting the reduced winter output. Proper installation techniques and preventative measures can help maximize energy production throughout the year.
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 Leawood
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.9694, Longitude: -94.6266 (Leawood, 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 34° South in Leawood, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Leawood, United States (Lat/Long 38.9694, -94.6266) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Leawood, 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 Leawood, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23° South in Summer | 43° South in Autumn | 54° South in Winter | 32° 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 Leawood, 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 Leawood, 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 Leawood, United States
The topography around Leawood, Kansas, which is located in the eastern part of the state near the Missouri border, is generally characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively flat terrain. This area is part of the Osage Plains, a physiographic region that extends across parts of Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
Leawood itself sits at an elevation of about 950 feet above sea level. The landscape in and around the city consists of a mix of suburban development, open grasslands, and scattered woodlands. The terrain gradually slopes downward towards the east, where it meets the Missouri River valley.
To the west and southwest of Leawood, the land becomes slightly more undulating, with some areas featuring more pronounced hills and shallow valleys. However, these elevation changes are generally modest, rarely exceeding a few hundred feet in difference.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. Ideal locations would have the following characteristics:
- Relatively flat or gently sloping land to minimize installation costs and maximize sun exposure
- Open areas with minimal shading from trees or structures
- Proximity to existing electrical infrastructure for easier grid connection
- Land that is not prime agricultural soil or ecologically sensitive
Given these criteria, some of the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Leawood might include:
- Open farmland to the south and southwest of Leawood, particularly in southern Johnson County and northern Miami County
- Less developed areas to the west and northwest, extending into Douglas County
- Some portions of eastern Jackson County, Missouri, where there are still open spaces amidst suburban development
It's important to note that while the topography in this region is generally favorable for solar installations, specific site assessments would be necessary to determine the most optimal locations. Factors such as local zoning regulations, land ownership, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the feasibility of large-scale solar projects 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 10th of October 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.
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Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
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