Rogers, Arkansas, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows dramatic seasonal swings. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 6.95 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it the peak season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.18 kWh per day per kW, offering solid energy production as daylight hours increase. Autumn sees a notable drop to 4.41 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.67 kWh per day per kW. This winter figure represents less than 40% of summer production, highlighting the substantial seasonal variation typical of this latitude. For optimal year-round performance, fixed solar panels at this Rogers, Arkansas location should be tilted at 32 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual energy production by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting for the varying solar potential across seasons.

Local Environmental Challenges

Several environmental and weather factors in Rogers, Arkansas can significantly impact solar energy production. The region experiences frequent severe weather events that pose particular challenges for solar installations. Arkansas sits within "Tornado Alley" and experiences regular severe thunderstorms, hail events, and occasional tornadoes. These weather patterns can damage solar panels, reduce efficiency through debris accumulation, and create safety concerns for maintenance access. The area also experiences high humidity levels, especially during summer months, which can lead to increased soiling of panels from dust and organic matter. Additionally, Arkansas receives substantial rainfall and can experience ice storms during winter months, both of which can temporarily reduce solar output.

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several preventative measures should be implemented during installation:

• Install impact-resistant solar panels rated for hail damage, typically those meeting UL 61730 standards for severe weather resistance
• Use reinforced mounting systems designed to withstand high winds, with proper structural engineering calculations for local wind loads
• Implement proper drainage systems to prevent water pooling and ice formation around panel installations
• Design installations with adequate spacing between panels to allow for thermal expansion and proper airflow
• Include monitoring systems that can quickly identify damaged or underperforming panels after severe weather events

Regular maintenance becomes particularly important in this climate. Panel cleaning should be scheduled more frequently during high-pollen seasons and after dust storms. Additionally, having a qualified local installer who understands regional weather patterns and building codes specific to Arkansas will help ensure the system can withstand local environmental challenges while maintaining optimal energy production throughout the year. Despite these environmental considerations, Rogers, Arkansas can still provide reasonable solar energy returns, particularly during the productive spring and summer seasons when energy demand for cooling is typically highest.

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 Rogers

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.3174, Longitude: -94.1548 (Rogers, 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 Rogers, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rogers, United States (Lat/Long 36.3174, -94.1548) 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 Rogers, 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 Rogers, 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	41° South in Autumn	52° South in Winter	30° 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 Rogers, 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 Rogers, 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 Rogers, United States

Topographical Features of Rogers, Arkansas

Rogers sits in the northwestern corner of Arkansas within the Springfield Plateau, a distinctive geographical region characterized by gently rolling hills and elevated terrain. The city occupies an elevation of approximately 1,400 feet above sea level, positioned on relatively high ground compared to much of Arkansas. This plateau landscape creates a series of undulating hills with moderate slopes, interspersed with valleys and ridgelines that extend throughout the surrounding area.

The topography around Rogers is dominated by the Ozark Mountains to the north and east, though the immediate vicinity features more subdued relief typical of plateau country. The terrain consists of broad, rounded hilltops separated by shallow valleys, with elevation changes typically ranging from 200 to 400 feet between valley floors and ridge crests. The underlying geology of limestone and sandstone has created a landscape with good drainage and relatively stable soils.

Several significant waterways shape the local topography, including the White River system and its tributaries. These waterways have carved gentle valleys through the plateau, creating areas of flatter terrain interspersed among the rolling hills. The Illinois River flows to the west, while War Eagle Creek and other smaller streams drain the eastern portions of the region.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar installations around Rogers would be the broad, south-facing slopes that characterize much of the plateau landscape. These areas offer the ideal combination of appropriate gradient, favorable orientation, and sufficient contiguous space for large arrays. The gentle slopes, typically ranging from 2 to 8 degrees, provide excellent drainage while maintaining manageable construction conditions.

The elevated ridgelines and hilltops throughout the region present particularly attractive opportunities for solar development. These areas benefit from minimal shading from surrounding terrain and often feature relatively level or gently sloping surfaces extending over considerable distances. The higher elevations also tend to have fewer trees and less agricultural use, potentially reducing land acquisition complications.

Agricultural areas within the broader valleys offer another promising option for large-scale solar projects. The flatter terrain in these locations simplifies installation and maintenance while providing extensive open spaces. Many of these valley areas feature cleared land with existing road access, which could significantly reduce development costs and environmental impact.

Areas to the south and southwest of Rogers appear particularly well-suited for solar development due to their combination of appropriate topography and land use patterns. The terrain in these directions tends to be more open, with larger cleared areas and fewer steep slopes that might complicate installation. The rolling nature of the landscape also provides natural screening opportunities that can help minimize visual impact on surrounding communities.

The region's stable geology and well-drained soils provide additional advantages for solar installations. The limestone bedrock underlying much of the area offers solid foundations for mounting systems, while the good drainage characteristics help prevent water-related issues that might affect equipment or access roads. These geological conditions, combined with the favorable topography, create an environment well-suited to supporting large-scale renewable energy infrastructure.

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.