Solar PV Analysis of Prairie Grove, United States
In simple terms, Prairie Grove in Arkansas is a moderately good place for solar energy production all year round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies throughout the year. It's highest in summer (6.86 kilowatt-hours per day per kilowatt of installed solar), followed by spring (5.25 kWh/day/kW), autumn (4.55 kWh/day/kW) and then winter (2.69 kWh/day/kW). So, the best times to generate solar power at this location are during the summer and spring months when sunlight is most abundant.
For optimal results, it's recommended that any fixed solar panel installations at this location should be tilted towards 32 degrees South because this angle will capture the most sunlight over the course of a year.
However, there might be some local factors that could hinder or obstruct your ability to produce as much electricity from your solar panels as possible. For instance, Prairie Grove experiences moderate amounts of rainfall throughout the year which could potentially block sunlight from reaching your panels on certain days.
To counteract these potential issues and ensure greater energy production, you may want to consider installing an adjustable mount for your panels so they can be positioned optimally according to seasonal variations in sun path and weather conditions; or investing in high-efficiency modules designed for performance under less-than-ideal light conditions; or even setting up a system with battery storage capacity to store excess power generated on sunny days for use when sunshine is scarce.
It's also important to keep your panels clean and free of debris like leaves or bird droppings which can limit their effectiveness; regular maintenance checks will help ensure they're working efficiently too.
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 Prairie Grove
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.9911, Longitude: -94.3182 (Prairie 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 32° South in Prairie Grove, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Prairie Grove, United States (Lat/Long 35.9911, -94.3182) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Prairie 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 Prairie Grove, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° 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 Prairie 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 Prairie 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 Prairie Grove, United States
Prairie Grove, United States is located in the state of Arkansas. The topography around Prairie Grove is characterized by gentle rolling hills and wide open plains. The region features a mix of agricultural lands, forests, and small bodies of water.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are preferred to minimize installation costs and maximize sun exposure. Therefore, the open plains and agricultural lands around Prairie Grove would be most suited for such installations.
In addition to topography, factors like local climate (amount of sunny days), land use restrictions, proximity to power grids (for easy transmission), and local regulations should also be considered when planning large-scale solar PV projects.
It's also worth noting that Arkansas has been making strides in renewable energy with several solar farms already operational in the state. This indicates a supportive environment for further developments in this sector.
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: Wednesday 27th of March 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.
