Tecumseh, Kansas, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar productivity varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during the summer months.

Seasonal Solar Output

Solar panels in Tecumseh can expect to generate an average of 6.94 kWh per day for each kW of installed capacity during summer. This output drops to 3.96 kWh/day in autumn and further decreases to 2.50 kWh/day in winter. Spring sees a recovery, with an average daily output of 5.17 kWh per kW installed.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in this region. Summer months, with longer days and higher sun angles, are ideal for solar power production. Conversely, winter months experience shorter days and lower sun angles, resulting in reduced energy output.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed panel installations in Tecumseh, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 34 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors could potentially impact solar production in Tecumseh:

1. Snow accumulation in winter months can temporarily reduce panel efficiency.
2. Occasional severe weather events, such as hailstorms or tornadoes, may pose a risk to solar installations.

To mitigate these factors, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow shedding and using hail-resistant panels. Additionally, ensure proper mounting and structural support to withstand high winds associated with severe weather events.

Despite these challenges, Tecumseh's location still offers a viable opportunity for solar energy production, particularly during the spring and summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a significant contribution to local energy needs 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 Tecumseh

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.0481, Longitude: -95.5791 (Tecumseh, 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 Tecumseh, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tecumseh, United States (Lat/Long 39.0481, -95.5791) 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 Tecumseh, 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 Tecumseh, 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 Tecumseh, 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 Tecumseh, 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 Tecumseh, United States

The area surrounding Tecumseh, United States, located at latitude 39.0481 and longitude -95.5791, is characterized by gently rolling hills and plains typical of the Midwestern United States. This region, situated in eastern Kansas, features a mix of agricultural land, grasslands, and scattered woodlands. The terrain is generally mild, with gradual elevation changes and few dramatic landforms. The topography around Tecumseh is part of the larger Osage Cuestas physiographic region, which is known for its series of east-facing ridges or escarpments. These cuestas, formed by erosion-resistant rock layers, create a subtle stair-step pattern across the landscape. The area also includes numerous small streams and creeks that have carved shallow valleys over time, contributing to the region's undulating appearance.

Solar PV Potential

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The gently rolling terrain around Tecumseh offers numerous potential sites for solar farms. Ideal locations would be on south-facing slopes or flat areas with minimal shading from trees or other obstructions. Agricultural lands that are less productive or fallow fields could be prime candidates for solar development. These areas often have the advantage of being already cleared and having existing access roads. Additionally, the relatively open landscape of the region means there are fewer natural obstacles to overcome when planning large-scale solar installations. Areas to the south and west of Tecumseh might be particularly well-suited for solar PV projects. These directions typically receive more direct sunlight throughout the day, maximizing energy production. However, it's important to note that specific site assessments would be necessary to determine the most optimal locations, taking into account factors such as local zoning regulations, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and environmental considerations. While the region around Tecumseh may not have the intense solar resources of the southwestern United States, its combination of available land, moderate terrain, and adequate sunlight still makes it a viable area for large-scale solar PV development. As technology improves and the demand for renewable energy grows, this part of Kansas could see increased interest in solar energy 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.