Valliant, Oklahoma, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with some seasonal limitations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location varies significantly throughout the year. Summer provides the strongest performance at 6.82 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the peak season for energy generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.13 kWh per day per kW, offering solid production levels. Autumn shows a notable decline to 4.60 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.78 kWh per day per kW. This dramatic seasonal variation means that winter production is less than half of summer output, which could impact year-round energy independence for residential or commercial installations.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For fixed panel installations at this location, the ideal angle to tilt panels to maximize total year-round production is 30 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles at the latitude, determining optimal panel tilt for each day, and weighting these angles by daily photovoltaic potential using solar irradiance data while accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors in Valliant, Oklahoma could significantly impact solar energy production:

• Severe Weather Events: Oklahoma experiences frequent thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hailstorms, particularly during spring and early summer, which can damage solar panels and reduce efficiency
• High Humidity and Heat: The subtropical climate creates high humidity levels that can reduce panel efficiency and promote corrosion of electrical components
• Ice Storms: Winter ice storms common to this region can coat panels, blocking sunlight and potentially causing structural damage from ice weight
• Dust and Pollen: Agricultural activities and seasonal pollen can accumulate on panels, reducing light transmission and energy output

Preventative Measures for Enhanced Production

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

• Impact-Resistant Panels: Install solar panels rated for hail impact and high wind speeds to withstand severe weather
• Proper Ventilation: Ensure adequate airflow behind panels to reduce heat buildup and improve efficiency in hot, humid conditions
• Quality Mounting Systems: Use corrosion-resistant mounting hardware and ensure proper grounding to handle moisture and electrical safety
• Regular Maintenance: Implement scheduled cleaning to remove dust, pollen, and debris, particularly important during high-pollen seasons
• Monitoring Systems: Install performance monitoring to quickly identify weather-related damage or efficiency losses

While Valliant's location offers decent solar potential, particularly during the warmer months, the significant seasonal variation and weather-related challenges require careful planning and robust installation practices to achieve optimal long-term performance.

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 Valliant

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.0023, Longitude: -95.0938 (Valliant, 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 Valliant, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Valliant, United States (Lat/Long 34.0023, -95.0938) 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 Valliant, 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 Valliant, 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
18° South in Summer	38° South in Autumn	49° 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 Valliant, 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 Valliant, 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 Valliant, United States

Topographical Features Around Valliant

Valliant sits in the southeastern corner of Oklahoma, positioned within the gently rolling terrain characteristic of the Ouachita Mountains' foothills region. The landscape around this small town features a mix of low hills, shallow valleys, and relatively flat bottomlands that drain toward the Red River system to the south. The elevation in the immediate area ranges from approximately 400 to 700 feet above sea level, creating a moderately undulating topography that transitions from the flatter coastal plains to the east toward the more pronounced ridges of the Ouachita Mountains to the north and west. The terrain consists primarily of sedimentary rock formations covered with varying depths of soil, much of which has been shaped by centuries of erosion from numerous small creeks and streams. These waterways have carved gentle valleys throughout the region, creating a patchwork of ridgetops, slopes, and bottomlands. The area experiences a humid subtropical climate with abundant rainfall that supports dense vegetation, including mixed hardwood and pine forests on the higher elevations and agricultural lands in the flatter areas.

Land Use and Vegetation Patterns

The countryside surrounding Valliant displays a mosaic of land uses typical of rural southeastern Oklahoma. Forested areas dominate much of the landscape, particularly on steeper slopes and ridgetops where timber harvesting operations are common. These wooded areas are interspersed with cleared agricultural fields, primarily used for cattle grazing and hay production. Some crop cultivation occurs in the flatter bottomlands, though the region's economy relies more heavily on livestock and forestry than row crop agriculture. The natural vegetation consists of oak-hickory forests on upland sites, with pine plantations established in many previously cleared areas. Riparian corridors along creeks and streams support denser hardwood forests, while open pastures and meadows occupy much of the gentler terrain. This varied vegetation pattern reflects both the natural topographical influences and human land management practices over many decades.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations around Valliant would be the relatively flat to gently sloping agricultural areas and cleared pastureland, particularly those with southern or southwestern exposures. These areas offer several advantages including easier construction access, reduced grading requirements, and minimal tree clearing needs compared to forested sites. The broader valley floors and ridge plateaus provide the largest continuous tracts of suitable terrain for utility-scale solar development. Areas currently used as open pasture or hay fields represent prime candidates for solar development, as they typically have established road access and existing electrical infrastructure nearby. The gentle slopes found on many ridge shoulders and broad valley sides can also accommodate solar installations with minimal site preparation, provided the grade remains manageable for equipment installation and maintenance access. Sites located on cleared agricultural land east and south of Valliant offer particularly favorable conditions, as this terrain tends to be flatter and more open than areas closer to the Ouachita foothills to the north and west. Former timber harvest areas that have been cleared but not yet replanted also present opportunities, though soil stability and drainage considerations would need careful evaluation. The key factors favoring these locations include their relatively level topography, existing infrastructure access, minimal shading from surrounding vegetation, and reduced environmental impact compared to developing forested sites.

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.