Prairie Village, Kansas, in the United States, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Prairie Village, with an impressive daily output of 6.72 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.12 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production at 4.10 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.61 kWh/day.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Prairie Village, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 34-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring the best possible exposure to sunlight throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Prairie Village generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The area experiences occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, which could potentially damage solar installations. To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels and ensure proper installation with robust mounting systems.

Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. However, this issue can be addressed by installing panels at the recommended 34-degree tilt, which helps snow slide off more easily. Additionally, using snow-shedding coatings on panels can further enhance their ability to clear snow.

Conclusion

Overall, Prairie Village presents a viable location for solar PV installations. While winter months see reduced output, the strong performance during spring and summer months compensates for this seasonal variation. By implementing appropriate preventative measures and optimizing panel placement, residents and businesses in Prairie Village can effectively harness solar energy throughout the year.

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 Village

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.9887, Longitude: -94.6341 (Prairie Village, 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 Prairie Village, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Prairie Village, United States (Lat/Long 38.9887, -94.6341) 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 Prairie Village, 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 Village, 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 Prairie Village, 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 Village, 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 Prairie Village, United States

The topography around Prairie Village, United States, located at latitude 38.9887 and longitude -94.6341, is characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively flat terrain. This area, situated in Johnson County, Kansas, is part of the larger Kansas City metropolitan region. The landscape is primarily composed of suburban developments interspersed with patches of green spaces, parks, and small wooded areas. The terrain in and around Prairie Village gradually slopes from east to west, with elevations ranging from approximately 900 to 1,000 feet above sea level. The area is part of the Osage Plains, a physiographic region known for its subtle changes in elevation and expansive grasslands. While much of the native prairie has been transformed by urban and suburban development, the underlying topography still reflects its origins.

Nearby Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Prairie Village, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would be those with ample open space, minimal shading from trees or buildings, and relatively flat terrain to reduce installation costs and maximize sun exposure. One potential area for solar PV development could be the agricultural lands to the southwest of Prairie Village, extending towards Gardner and Edgerton. These areas offer larger tracts of open land with fewer obstructions, making them potentially suitable for solar farms. Another promising region lies to the southeast, in the direction of Grandview and Belton, Missouri. This area features a mix of rural and suburban landscapes with some larger open spaces that could accommodate solar installations. The areas north and east of Prairie Village, while more densely populated, may still offer opportunities for solar PV on a smaller scale. Large rooftops of commercial buildings, parking lots, and any available open spaces in industrial parks could be utilized for solar energy production. It's important to note that while these areas may be topographically suitable, other factors such as local zoning regulations, grid connectivity, and environmental considerations would need to be carefully evaluated before implementing any large-scale solar PV projects.

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.