McPherson, Kansas represents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation in the Northern Temperate Zone. The solar production data reveals significant seasonal variation that potential solar installers should carefully consider when planning their investment.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer delivers the strongest solar performance at this location, generating 7.17 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. This represents the peak production period when solar panels will operate at their highest efficiency levels. Spring provides solid energy generation at 5.47 kWh per day per kilowatt, making it the second-best season for solar production. This extended period of good solar output helps balance the yearly energy profile. Autumn production drops to 4.26 kWh per day per kilowatt, representing a moderate decline as the sun's angle decreases and daylight becomes less intense. Winter presents the most challenging period for solar generation, with output falling to just 2.82 kWh per day per kilowatt. This represents less than 40% of summer production levels, creating a significant seasonal energy gap.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximum year-round solar production at McPherson, Kansas, fixed solar panels should be tilted at 34 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated using weighted solar elevation data throughout the year to optimize total annual energy output.

Local Environmental Factors

Several environmental and weather conditions in Kansas can impact solar panel performance and require preventative measures:

• Severe Weather: Kansas experiences frequent thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes that can damage solar installations
• High Winds: Prairie winds can stress mounting systems and blow debris onto panels
• Agricultural Dust: Farming activities create airborne particles that accumulate on panel surfaces
• Snow and Ice: Winter weather can temporarily block panels and create additional weight loads

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, installers should implement several protective strategies. Heavy-duty mounting systems rated for high wind loads will prevent structural failure during storms. Impact-resistant tempered glass panels can better withstand hail damage common in this region. Regular cleaning schedules become essential due to agricultural dust accumulation, which can significantly reduce panel efficiency if left unchecked. Installing panels with adequate ground clearance allows better air circulation and easier access for maintenance. Proper electrical grounding and surge protection systems help safeguard against lightning damage during the frequent thunderstorms. Strategic placement away from large trees or structures reduces debris risk while maintaining optimal sun exposure throughout the day.

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 McPherson

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.3746, Longitude: -97.673 (McPherson, 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 McPherson, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in McPherson, United States (Lat/Long 38.3746, -97.673) 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 McPherson, 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 McPherson, 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
22° South in Summer	43° South in Autumn	53° 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 McPherson, 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 McPherson, 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 McPherson, United States

Topography Around McPherson, Kansas

McPherson sits in the heart of the Great Plains in central Kansas, where the landscape is characterized by gently rolling prairie terrain. The area features relatively flat to slightly undulating topography with subtle elevation changes that rarely exceed a few dozen feet over considerable distances. This region represents classic High Plains geography, with broad, open expanses of agricultural land stretching in all directions from the city.

The terrain consists primarily of fertile prairie soils that have been extensively cultivated for wheat, corn, and soybean production. Natural vegetation in undeveloped areas includes native grasses typical of the shortgrass and mixed-grass prairie ecosystems. Small creeks and seasonal waterways meander through the landscape, creating very gentle valleys and mild topographical variation.

Elevation in the McPherson area ranges from approximately 1,450 to 1,550 feet above sea level, with the land gradually rising toward the west. The relatively modest elevation changes create an environment with excellent visibility across vast distances, as the landscape lacks significant hills, ridges, or other major topographical obstacles that might create shadows or wind barriers.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The flat to gently rolling terrain surrounding McPherson presents exceptional opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. Areas immediately south and southwest of the city offer particularly favorable conditions, where extensive agricultural fields provide large, unobstructed parcels of land with minimal topographical challenges for solar array installation.

The agricultural lands extending west and northwest of McPherson represent prime solar development territory due to their consistent gentle slopes and absence of significant elevation changes. These areas benefit from minimal shading concerns, as the sparse tree coverage typical of prairie farmland ensures that solar panels would receive unimpeded exposure throughout the day. The existing agricultural road network in these areas also provides advantageous access for construction and maintenance activities.

Areas to the east and southeast of McPherson also show strong potential for solar development, particularly where large agricultural operations have created consolidated land parcels. The consistent topography in these directions maintains the same favorable characteristics found throughout the region, with gentle terrain that would require minimal grading or site preparation for solar installations.

The prairie landscape surrounding McPherson naturally minimizes concerns about terrain-related shading or complex foundation requirements that might be encountered in more mountainous or heavily forested regions. The agricultural nature of the surrounding land means that large, relatively flat parcels are readily available, making it feasible to develop utility-scale solar projects with optimal panel spacing and orientation.

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.