Solar PV Analysis of Valley Center, United States
Valley Center, Kansas, in the United States, offers varying solar energy generation potential throughout the year. This location, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity production.
Seasonal Solar Production
Summer stands out as the most productive season at this location, with solar panels generating approximately 7.18 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, yielding about 5.46 kWh daily per kW installed. Autumn production decreases to around 4.53 kWh per day, while winter shows the lowest output at just 2.91 kWh daily per kW of solar capacity.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production (about 2.5 times more energy in summer) reflects the typical seasonal pattern for locations in the Northern Hemisphere, where longer days and higher sun angles during summer months significantly boost solar generation potential.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed solar panel installations at this Valley Center location, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 33 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation patterns at this latitude, weighted according to the daily photovoltaic potential throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production at this Kansas location:
- Severe weather events including thunderstorms, hail, and occasional tornadoes may pose physical risks to solar installations
- Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce production
- Dust and pollen from surrounding agricultural areas may gradually decrease panel efficiency
- Temperature extremes in summer can slightly reduce panel efficiency during peak heat
To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Valley Center should incorporate hail-resistant panels with strong mounting systems designed to withstand high winds. Panels installed at the recommended 33-degree tilt will naturally shed snow more effectively than flatter installations. Regular cleaning schedules should be implemented to remove dust and pollen buildup, particularly during spring and after extended dry periods. Additionally, ensuring adequate airflow beneath panels can help reduce efficiency losses during summer heat waves.
Despite these considerations, the location still offers good overall solar potential, particularly from late spring through early fall when production values consistently exceed 5 kWh per day per kilowatt installed.
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 Valley Center
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.8422, Longitude: -97.3755 (Valley Center, 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 33° South in Valley Center, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Valley Center, United States (Lat/Long 37.8422, -97.3755) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Valley Center, 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 Valley Center, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 31° 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 Valley Center, 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 Valley Center, United States.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Valley Center, United States
Valley Center, Kansas, sits within the Great Plains region of the United States, characterized by gently rolling terrain with subtle elevation changes. Located in Sedgwick County, the landscape around Valley Center features predominantly flat to slightly undulating prairie lands that were shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago. The area has an average elevation of approximately 1,350 feet (410 meters) above sea level, with minimal variation across the immediate vicinity.
The topography is defined by the Arkansas River valley system, which flows not far from Valley Center. This river has, over millennia, created a shallow valley surrounded by low-lying plains. The terrain consists primarily of open grasslands interspersed with agricultural fields, creating a patchwork landscape that stretches toward the horizon. Few natural barriers or significant elevation changes interrupt the landscape, making the region relatively uniform in its topographical features.
Soil Composition and Land Features
The soil around Valley Center is predominantly composed of fertile loams and silty clay deposits, a legacy of the area's geological history as part of ancient river systems and prairie ecosystems. These soils have supported the region's agricultural productivity, with much of the surrounding land converted to farming over the past century. Scattered throughout the area are small creek beds and drainage systems that create minor variations in the otherwise level terrain.
Natural vegetation in undeveloped areas consists mainly of native prairie grasses and scattered deciduous trees, particularly along waterways. The relatively flat terrain combined with limited forested areas means that much of the land receives consistent exposure to the sun throughout the day, with minimal shadowing from natural features.
Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar photovoltaic development near Valley Center would be the extensive flat agricultural lands that surround the community. Particularly promising are the open fields to the west and south of Valley Center, where the combination of level terrain, minimal flooding risk, and good drainage creates favorable conditions for solar infrastructure.
The areas along the slightly elevated plains that extend east toward Kechi and north toward Park City offer excellent potential for solar development. These locations benefit from stable ground conditions with minimal risk of erosion or water accumulation. The lack of significant hills or valleys means construction costs for large solar arrays would be relatively predictable, without requiring extensive grading or specialized mounting systems to accommodate varied terrain.
Agricultural lands that are currently less productive or those that might benefit from land-use diversification represent particularly good candidates for solar development. Many of these areas already have access to existing road infrastructure and are relatively close to transmission lines, reducing the costs associated with connecting new solar facilities to the grid.
The flat topography throughout the region means that most locations around Valley Center would not face significant challenges related to terrain when developing solar installations. This uniformity provides developers with flexibility in selecting optimal sites based on other factors such as land availability, proximity to transmission infrastructure, and local zoning considerations rather than being constrained by topographical limitations.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 14th of June 2025
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
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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.
