Manila, Arkansas, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar energy generation. The location experiences significant seasonal variation in solar output, which is typical for this latitude.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer provides the strongest solar generation potential at 6.83 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity. This represents the peak production period when the sun is highest in the sky and daylight hours are longest. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.71 kWh per day per kW, making it another excellent time for solar energy production. Autumn sees a notable decline to 4.36 kWh per day per kW as the sun angle decreases and weather patterns begin to shift. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.47 kWh per day per kW, representing less than half of summer's output. For fixed panel installations at this location, the ideal tilt angle is 31 degrees facing south to maximize total year-round production. This angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles throughout the year and weighting them according to solar irradiance data.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors in Manila, Arkansas can significantly impact solar production:

• High humidity and frequent fog, especially during spring and early summer months, which can reduce solar irradiance
• Severe thunderstorms and hail during spring and summer that can damage panels
• Ice storms in winter that can coat panels and block sunlight
• Heavy tree coverage common in Arkansas that can create shading issues
• Dust and pollen accumulation, particularly during spring months

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be considered:

• Install panels with adequate spacing and ventilation to reduce moisture buildup and improve cooling
• Use impact-resistant panels and secure mounting systems designed to withstand severe weather
• Implement regular cleaning schedules, especially during pollen season
• Conduct thorough site surveys to identify and remove or trim vegetation that could cause shading
• Consider tilt-adjustable mounting systems to optimize angles seasonally, though this increases complexity
• Install monitoring systems to quickly identify performance issues from weather-related damage

While Manila, Arkansas faces seasonal challenges typical of temperate climates, proper installation techniques and maintenance can help ensure reliable solar energy production throughout the year. The strong summer and spring performance can offset the lower winter output, making solar a viable option with appropriate planning.

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 Manila

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.8801, Longitude: -90.167 (Manila, 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 Manila, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Manila, United States (Lat/Long 35.8801, -90.167) 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 Manila, 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 Manila, 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
20° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	51° South in Winter	29° 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 Manila, 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 Manila, 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 Manila, United States

Topographical Features Around Manila, Arkansas

Manila sits in the heart of the Arkansas Delta region, positioned in the northeastern corner of Arkansas near the Missouri border. This area represents some of the flattest terrain in the entire state, characterized by the broad alluvial plains created by centuries of Mississippi River flooding and sediment deposition. The landscape around Manila is remarkably level, with gentle slopes that rarely exceed a few degrees across vast expanses of agricultural land.

The immediate vicinity of Manila lies within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, a geological formation that extends across multiple states. This region features extremely low relief, with elevations typically ranging from about 200 to 250 feet above sea level. The terrain consists primarily of fertile bottomland soils that have made this area one of Arkansas's most productive agricultural regions, particularly for rice, soybeans, and cotton cultivation.

Water features play a significant role in shaping the local topography. The St. Francis River flows roughly north to south through the region, creating subtle variations in the otherwise uniform landscape. Numerous drainage ditches, irrigation canals, and small waterways crisscross the area, reflecting both natural drainage patterns and human modifications for agricultural purposes. These water management systems have created a network of slightly elevated levees and berms that provide minimal but noticeable topographical variation.

Soil Composition and Ground Conditions

The soils around Manila are predominantly clay-based alluvial deposits, formed by millennia of river sediment accumulation. These heavy clay soils can present both advantages and challenges for large-scale development projects. While they provide excellent stability when properly managed, they also tend to retain water and can become problematic during wet periods. The relatively uniform soil composition across large areas means that ground preparation and foundation requirements remain consistent across potential development sites.

Seasonal flooding has historically been a concern in this region, though modern levee systems and drainage infrastructure have significantly reduced flood risks compared to earlier periods. The flat terrain means that water management remains an important consideration for any major development project, as natural drainage is limited and relies heavily on constructed channels and pumping systems.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The topographical characteristics around Manila present several advantages for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The extensive flat terrain eliminates the need for significant grading or site preparation that would be required in hillier regions. Areas to the west and southwest of Manila offer particularly favorable conditions, with large tracts of relatively uniform, gently sloping land that would minimize installation costs and maximize panel efficiency through optimal positioning.

The agricultural fields that dominate the landscape provide ideal candidates for solar development, as they are already cleared, relatively level, and often exist in large contiguous parcels. Properties along the higher, better-drained areas would be preferable to those in lower-lying sections that might be more susceptible to seasonal water accumulation. The slightly elevated areas near transportation corridors, particularly along major highways and rail lines, would offer both suitable topography and convenient access for construction and maintenance activities.

Areas north and east of Manila, while equally flat, may present more challenges due to their proximity to the St. Francis River and associated floodplain areas. The western portions of Mississippi County, where Manila is located, generally offer better drainage characteristics and lower flood risk profiles, making them more suitable for permanent infrastructure investments like solar installations.

The uniform topography across much of the region means that large solar arrays could be developed with minimal environmental disruption to the existing landscape character. The flat terrain would allow for efficient panel spacing and optimal tilt angles without the complications introduced by varying slopes or irregular ground surfaces that characterize more mountainous regions.

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.