Solar PV Analysis of Overland Park, United States
Overland Park, Kansas is a decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, it's not perfect because the amount of sunlight varies with each season.
During summer, you can expect to generate about 6.72 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels. This is the best time to generate solar power due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
In autumn, this figure drops to around 4.10 kWh/day per kW as days start getting shorter and sunlight less intense.
Winter sees a further drop in production down to about 2.61 kWh/day per kW due mainly to short days and low sun angles.
Spring improves again with approximately 5.12 kWh/day per kW as days get longer and sunlight becomes more direct once again.
To maximize overall yearly output from your solar panels in Overland Park, they should ideally be tilted at an angle facing south by about 34 degrees from horizontal level which aligns them better with the sun’s path across the sky over different seasons.
Now let's talk about other factors that could potentially affect your solar energy production:
1) Weather: Overland Park experiences all four seasons including winter snowfall which can cover your panels reducing their efficiency or even making them non-operational until cleared off.
Preventative measure: Regularly monitor weather forecasts during winter months so you know when snow might fall and plan accordingly for someone to safely remove it from your panels without damaging them if needed
2) Shade: Any objects such as trees or buildings casting shadows on your panels will reduce their productivity
Preventative measure: Before installing, do a thorough survey of where shadows fall across potential installation sites at different times of day/year ensuring you select one that minimizes shading impact on your panels
3) Dust & debris: Dirt accumulation on panel surfaces over time reduces their ability to absorb sunlight and generate electricity
Preventative measure: Regularly clean your panels especially after windy days or storms when dust/debris might have been blown onto them.
In conclusion, while Overland Park may not be the most ideal location for solar energy production due to its seasonal variations in sunlight and potential weather challenges, with proper planning and maintenance it can still be a viable option.
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 Overland Park
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.867, Longitude: -94.7094 (Overland Park, 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 Overland Park, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Overland Park, United States (Lat/Long 38.867, -94.7094) 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 Overland Park, 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 Overland Park, 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 Overland Park, 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 Overland Park, 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 Overland Park, United States
Overland Park, located in the state of Kansas, United States, is characterized by a relatively flat landscape typical of the Great Plains region. There are some gently rolling hills and valleys but overall it's quite level.
This type of topography can be conducive to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations as flat or gentle slopes allow for easier installation and maintenance, better panel alignment with the sun, and more efficient energy production.
However, site selection for solar PV also depends on other factors such as local climate (solar irradiance), land use restrictions, proximity to transmission lines or demand centers etc. In terms of sunlight availability, Kansas receives ample sunshine throughout the year which makes it potentially suitable for solar power generation.
Areas nearby Overland Park that could be suited for large-scale solar PV would include rural areas with less development where there might be larger tracts of open land available. These could include regions towards the west and south of Overland Park like Miami County or Franklin County where agricultural lands are prevalent. However detailed feasibility studies would need to be conducted considering all relevant factors before finalizing any location.
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 18th of April 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.
