Solar PV Analysis of Oak Grove, United States
Oak Grove, Missouri, in the United States is a fairly good location for year-round solar energy generation. However, its efficiency varies with the seasons. In simple terms, how much electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar power changes throughout the year.
During summer, you'll get about 6.75 units (kilowatt-hours or kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have installed. This is because there are more hours of sunlight and less cloud cover during this season.
In autumn and spring, your output drops to around 4 kWh/day and 5.17 kWh/day respectively due to shorter daylight hours and increased cloud cover.
Winter sees the least productivity at only about 2.43 kWh/day per kW due to fewer daylight hours and possibly snow covering your panels.
To maximize your total yearly production from these solar panels in Oak Grove specifically, they should be tilted at an angle of 34 degrees facing southward on a fixed installation setup.
When considering local factors that could impede solar production here:
1) Weather: Frequent storms or heavy snowfall could potentially damage your panels or block sunlight.
2) Cloud Cover: Increased cloudiness can reduce sun exposure thus reducing energy production.
3) Trees/Shade: Large trees or buildings casting shadows on your panel will also impact their effectiveness.
Preventative measures that can help ensure greater energy production include:
1) Regular maintenance to clear off debris/snow/dust etc., which may accumulate over time blocking out sunlight.
2) Installing a system that tracks the sun's movement across the sky could increase exposure but would add cost.
3) Proper site selection where there is minimal shade/shadow from nearby structures/trees etc., will maximize exposure to sunlight.
4) Using high-quality durable panels resistant against harsh weather conditions like hail storms etc., would protect against potential damage while ensuring optimal performance.
Remember, these are just general guidelines and the specific conditions at your site may require custom solutions. It's always best to consult with a solar installation professional for advice tailored to your situation.
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 Oak Grove
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.0033, Longitude: -94.1411 (Oak Grove, 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 Oak Grove, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Oak Grove, United States (Lat/Long 39.0033, -94.1411) 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 Oak Grove, 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 Oak Grove, 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 Oak Grove, 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 Oak Grove, 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 Oak Grove, United States
Oak Grove, United States (Lat, Long: 39.0033,-94.1411) is located in the state of Missouri. The topography around Oak Grove is relatively flat with some gently rolling hills, typical of the Midwest Plains region.
The area has a mix of urban and rural settings with large areas of agricultural land which could be suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. Open fields or farmland are often ideal for such projects because they offer ample space and sun exposure without significant shading from trees or buildings.
However, suitability also depends on factors like local climate, solar irradiation levels, land costs and availability, proximity to transmission lines or substations (for grid connection), zoning regulations etc.
According to the U.S Solar Radiation Resource Maps by National Renewable Energy Laboratory(NREL), Missouri receives an annual average daily total solar resource in the range of 4-5 kilowatt-hours per square meter per day which makes it moderately suitable for PV installations compared to other states.
To identify specific sites that would be most suited to large scale solar PV within this region detailed site-specific assessments would need to be conducted taking into account all these factors.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 29th of June 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.
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.
