Spiro, Oklahoma, United States is a location with moderate potential for solar energy production throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this site experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy generation capability.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels installed in Spiro can expect varying levels of electricity output across the seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, generating approximately 6.86kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.21kWh/day, while autumn yields 4.49kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest production at just 2.63kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production (more than 2.5 times higher in summer) indicates that this location experiences a significant seasonal swing in solar generation potential. This pattern is typical for sites in the Northern Temperate Zone where day length and sun angle vary considerably throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Spiro, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 31 degrees facing South. This carefully calculated angle balances seasonal variations to capture the most solar energy across the entire year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Spiro:

• Occasional severe weather events, including thunderstorms and tornadoes common to Oklahoma, may damage solar installations if not properly secured.
• Seasonal dust and pollen accumulation can reduce panel efficiency if not regularly cleaned.
• Winter ice and snow can temporarily cover panels, reducing or halting production during winter months when output is already at its lowest.

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Spiro should incorporate robust mounting systems designed to withstand high winds, include regular maintenance schedules for cleaning, and potentially employ snow-shedding panel arrangements with sufficient tilt to help clear winter precipitation.

Overall, Spiro represents a moderate solar resource location with strong summer potential but significant seasonal variation that must be accounted for in system design and production expectations.

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 Spiro

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.2502, Longitude: -94.6221 (Spiro, 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 31° South in Spiro, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Spiro, United States (Lat/Long 35.2502, -94.6221) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Spiro, 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 Spiro, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° 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	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 Spiro, 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 Spiro, 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 Spiro, United States

The topography around Spiro, Oklahoma is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys typical of the eastern Oklahoma landscape. Situated in Le Flore County in the Arkansas River Valley, Spiro lies at the western edge of the Ozark Plateau and the Ouachita Mountains region. The terrain gradually transitions from the relatively flat river bottomlands near the Arkansas River to more undulating terrain as one moves away from the river. To the north of Spiro, the landscape features the Arkansas River floodplain with rich alluvial soils and predominantly flat terrain. This area has been historically valuable for agriculture. As one moves south and east of Spiro, the topography becomes increasingly hilly, with modest elevations ranging from approximately 450 to 650 feet above sea level. These hills are generally rounded rather than steep, creating a pleasant rolling landscape.

Notable Topographic Features

Several streams and small tributaries flow through the area, creating minor valleys and drainage systems that feed into the Arkansas River. Notably, the Poteau River joins the Arkansas River just northeast of Spiro. This river junction has historically been significant for transportation and settlement patterns in the region. The soil composition varies from sandy loams in the river bottoms to more clay-rich soils in the upland areas. The natural vegetation consists primarily of oak-hickory forests on the hills and mixed bottomland hardwoods along the waterways, though much of the landscape has been cleared for agricultural use and pasture land.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development, the most suitable areas near Spiro would be the gently sloping or flat terrains that receive minimal shadowing from surrounding topographic features. The relatively open agricultural lands to the north and northwest of Spiro offer promising potential for solar development. These areas combine favorable topography with existing land clearing, reducing the need for extensive site preparation. The flat bottomlands along the Arkansas River provide expansive open spaces that could accommodate large solar arrays. However, developers should consider potential flooding risks in these lowland areas when planning installations. The slightly elevated areas south of Spiro that feature modest slopes with southern exposures would also be advantageous for solar collection efficiency. These locations benefit from good drainage and reduced morning fog compared to the river valleys. Areas to potentially avoid would include the more heavily forested hillsides to the southeast, where terrain is more variable and clearing costs would be higher. Additionally, any locations within flood-prone zones near the rivers should be carefully evaluated for risk mitigation. The existing electrical transmission infrastructure in the region, particularly around Fort Smith (approximately 15 miles east) and Sallisaw (about 20 miles north), provides potential interconnection points that would enhance the viability of large-scale solar development in the area.

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.