Solar Energy Potential in Benton, Arkansas

Benton, Arkansas, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 34.4933, -92.5896, offers varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production that potential solar panel owners should consider. The seasonal solar energy production shows a clear pattern. Summer is the most productive season, generating an average of 6.74kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.44kWh/day, while autumn produces 4.39kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest production at just 2.54kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Benton, the ideal angle to maximize year-round energy production is 30 degrees facing South. This tilt angle has been calculated based on the location's latitude and seasonal solar patterns to optimize annual energy harvest.

Seasonal Considerations

The substantial difference between summer and winter production (more than 2.5 times higher in summer) suggests that Benton is much more ideal for solar generation during the warmer months. The combined spring and summer seasons offer excellent production potential, making March through September the prime months for solar energy generation in this location.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several environmental factors in Benton may affect solar production:

• Occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, can temporarily reduce solar output and potentially damage installations if not properly secured.
• Arkansas's humidity and precipitation can lead to dust and pollen accumulation on panels, reducing efficiency if not regularly cleaned.
• Tree coverage in this region can create shading issues if not accounted for during installation.

Preventative measures include installing storm-resistant mounting systems, implementing automatic cleaning systems or regular maintenance schedules, and conducting thorough shade analysis before installation. Microinverters or power optimizers can also help minimize production losses when partial shading occurs. Overall, Benton offers good but not exceptional solar potential, with strong seasonal variation that makes summer and spring particularly valuable for solar energy production.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 Benton, Arkansas

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.4933, Longitude: -92.5896 (Benton, Arkansas, 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 30° South in Benton, Arkansas, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Benton, Arkansas, United States (Lat/Long 34.4933, -92.5896) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Benton, Arkansas, 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 Benton, Arkansas, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
18° South in Summer	39° South in Autumn	50° South in Winter	27° 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 Benton, Arkansas, 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 Benton, Arkansas, 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 Benton, Arkansas, United States

The topography around Benton, Arkansas is characterized by gentle rolling hills and shallow valleys typical of the western edge of the Gulf Coastal Plain. Situated in Saline County, Benton lies at the transition zone between the Ouachita Mountains to the west and the flatter Mississippi Alluvial Plain to the east. The area features modest elevation changes with heights generally ranging between 300 and 500 feet above sea level. The Saline River and its tributaries have shaped much of the local landscape, creating winding waterways and associated floodplains. These waterways have carved shallow valleys throughout the region, leaving elevated ridges and plateaus between drainage systems. The natural terrain consists of a mix of open fields, scattered woodlands, and riparian corridors along streams and rivers.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development near Benton, the most suitable areas would be found on the higher elevation plateaus and gently sloping hillsides with southern exposure. These locations offer several advantages for solar installation: The relatively flat ridgetops and plateaus to the north and west of Benton provide ideal settings for solar arrays as they require minimal grading and site preparation. These areas typically have been cleared for agriculture or are sparsely wooded, reducing land conversion costs. The elevated terrain southeast of Benton, extending toward Little Rock, features numerous cleared areas with good solar exposure and minimal flooding risk. These locations balance accessibility with favorable topographic conditions. Areas to avoid would include the Saline River floodplain and associated wetlands, which experience periodic flooding and have higher ecological sensitivity. Similarly, the more heavily forested and steeper sections of land approaching the Ouachita Mountains to the west would require significant clearing and grading, making them less economically viable for large-scale solar development. The gently rolling agricultural lands found throughout Saline County offer perhaps the best compromise of existing land use, topographic suitability, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure. These areas typically have good drainage, minimal shading concerns, and are often already served by access roads and nearby transmission corridors.

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.