Mustang, Oklahoma represents a moderately good location for year-round solar energy generation, though it experiences significant seasonal variation typical of continental climates in the Northern Temperate Zone.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location shows strong summer performance with 7.14 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the ideal time for solar generation. Spring provides good production at 5.45 kWh per day, while autumn drops to 4.81 kWh per day. Winter presents the most challenging period with only 3.15 kWh per day, representing less than half of summer output. For optimal year-round energy production, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 31 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the year and weighting for daily solar potential.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in the Oklahoma region can significantly impact solar energy generation:

• Severe thunderstorms and hail, particularly during spring and early summer
• High winds and occasional tornadoes that can damage or misalign panels
• Dust storms and agricultural dust that reduce panel efficiency
• Ice storms during winter months that can block sunlight and add weight stress

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective. Using tempered glass panels rated for large hail impact helps protect against storm damage, while reinforced mounting systems designed for high wind loads prevent structural failure during severe weather events. Regular cleaning schedules become essential due to dust accumulation, with automated cleaning systems or accessible manual cleaning setups helping maintain peak efficiency. Installing panels with adequate drainage and avoiding low-angle installations prevents ice and debris buildup during winter storms. Proper electrical grounding and surge protection systems protect against lightning damage common during Oklahoma's frequent thunderstorms. Strategic placement away from large trees or structures that might fall during storms also reduces risk of physical damage to the solar array.

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 Mustang

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.3882, Longitude: -97.7256 (Mustang, 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 Mustang, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mustang, United States (Lat/Long 35.3882, -97.7256) 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 Mustang, 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 Mustang, 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
19° 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 Mustang, 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 Mustang, 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 Mustang, United States

Topographical Features of the Mustang Area

The topography around Mustang, Oklahoma is characterized by gently rolling prairie landscapes typical of the central Great Plains region. This area sits within the Cross Timbers ecoregion, where the terrain consists of modest hills and shallow valleys with elevations ranging from approximately 1,200 to 1,400 feet above sea level. The landscape features a mix of native grasslands interspersed with scattered oak woodlands, creating a mosaic pattern across the countryside. The terrain in this region is generally quite manageable for development purposes, with slopes that are typically gentle to moderate. Most areas experience gradual elevation changes rather than steep inclines, making the land relatively accessible for various types of construction and infrastructure projects. The soil composition consists primarily of clay and sandy loam, which provides stable foundations while allowing for adequate drainage during the region's periodic heavy rainfall events. Drainage patterns in the area are defined by several small creeks and seasonal waterways that flow generally in a southeasterly direction toward the Canadian River system. These waterways have carved shallow valleys into the landscape over time, creating natural boundaries and slightly more varied topography in certain areas. The overall drainage is considered good, preventing significant water accumulation issues that might complicate large-scale development projects.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations would be found on the broader, flatter expanses of prairie land that extend in multiple directions from Mustang. These areas offer several key advantages for solar development, including minimal grading requirements and excellent accessibility for construction equipment and ongoing maintenance activities. The open grassland areas to the west and southwest of Mustang present particularly favorable conditions for solar farms. These locations feature relatively uniform terrain with gentle slopes that would require minimal site preparation work. The absence of significant tree cover in these prairie sections eliminates the need for extensive clearing operations while providing unobstructed solar exposure throughout the day. Areas with southern-facing slopes, even gentle ones, would be especially advantageous for solar panel positioning. The natural topography in several locations around Mustang provides these preferred orientations while maintaining the accessibility and development-friendly characteristics necessary for large-scale solar installations. The stable soil conditions in these areas would also support the foundation requirements for solar mounting systems without requiring extensive soil modification or reinforcement. The proximity to existing electrical infrastructure and transportation networks adds another layer of suitability to many of these potential solar development sites. The relatively flat terrain facilitates the installation of electrical transmission lines and provides straightforward access routes for the delivery of equipment and materials during construction phases.

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.