Solar Energy Potential in Jacksonville, Arkansas

Jacksonville, Arkansas, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a moderate to good potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar output varies significantly across seasons, with summer being the most productive period and winter the least. During summer, solar panels in Jacksonville can generate an impressive 6.74 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. This high output makes summer the ideal time for solar energy production in the area. Spring follows closely, with a daily output of 5.44 kWh per kW, providing excellent solar potential as well. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in solar production, with panels generating 4.39 kWh per day per kW installed. While this is lower than spring and summer, it still offers decent energy output. Winter, however, presents the biggest challenge for solar energy production in Jacksonville, with panels producing only 2.54 kWh per day per kW installed.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Jacksonville, it's crucial to install fixed panels at the ideal tilt angle. For this location, the optimal angle is 30 degrees facing south. This angle helps balance energy production across seasons, capturing more sunlight during lower sun angles in winter while still performing well during summer months.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Jacksonville generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental and weather factors to consider: 1. Humidity: The region's subtropical climate can lead to high humidity levels, potentially affecting panel efficiency. Regular cleaning can help mitigate this issue. 2. Thunderstorms: Jacksonville experiences frequent thunderstorms, especially during spring and summer. Installing a robust mounting system and surge protectors can safeguard solar installations from strong winds and lightning strikes. 3. Tree coverage: The area's vegetation might cast shadows on solar panels, reducing their efficiency. Careful site selection and periodic tree trimming can help maximize sun exposure. To address these factors, consider implementing these preventative measures:

• Use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels designed to perform well in humid conditions
• Install a reliable lightning protection system
• Conduct regular maintenance, including cleaning panels and trimming nearby vegetation
• Consider using microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading

By taking these precautions, solar energy systems in Jacksonville can achieve optimal performance and longevity, making the most of the area's solar potential throughout the year.

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 Jacksonville, Arkansas

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.919, Longitude: -92.1419 (Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, Arkansas, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Jacksonville, Arkansas, United States (Lat/Long 34.919, -92.1419) 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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, 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
19° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	50° South in Winter	28° 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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, Arkansas, United States

The area around Jacksonville, United States, located at latitude 34.919 and longitude -92.1419, is characterized by a gently rolling landscape typical of the Central Arkansas region. This part of the state is situated in the transition zone between the Ouachita Mountains to the west and the Mississippi Alluvial Plain to the east, resulting in a varied topography that includes low hills, shallow valleys, and some flat areas. The terrain in and around Jacksonville is predominantly composed of gentle slopes and small hills, with elevations ranging from about 250 to 400 feet above sea level. The area is dotted with numerous small streams and creeks that flow through the landscape, creating shallow valleys and contributing to the overall rolling nature of the terrain. The soil in this region is typically a mix of clay and loam, which has been shaped over time by erosion and the area's natural drainage patterns.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The gently rolling terrain in the vicinity of Jacksonville offers some advantages for solar energy development. Areas with slight southern-facing slopes would be particularly well-suited, as they would receive more direct sunlight throughout the day. The regions to the east and southeast of Jacksonville, where the landscape begins to flatten out towards the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, could be especially promising for large-scale solar PV projects. These areas typically have fewer trees and more open spaces, which would minimize shading and the need for extensive land clearing. Additionally, the flatter terrain in these directions would simplify construction and reduce costs associated with land preparation. It's worth noting that while the immediate vicinity of Jacksonville may have some suitable locations, expanding the search radius to include areas within a 20-30 mile radius could yield even more favorable sites. This would encompass parts of Lonoke and Prairie counties to the east, which feature more expansive, flat agricultural lands that could be ideal for large solar installations. When selecting specific sites for solar PV development, it would be crucial to consider factors beyond just topography, such as proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and environmental impact assessments. However, from a purely topographical perspective, the gently rolling to flat areas east and southeast of Jacksonville present the most promising opportunities for large-scale solar PV development in the region.

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.