Walters, Oklahoma, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with notable seasonal variations 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 7.31 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the ideal season for solar generation. Spring offers good production levels at 5.84 kWh per day per kW, while autumn drops to 5.04 kWh per day per kW. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 3.33 kWh per day per kW of production. This seasonal pattern means that solar installations in Walters will generate more than twice as much electricity in summer compared to winter. The peak production months align well with typical high electricity demand periods when air conditioning usage increases.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production, solar panels at this location should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 30 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting for daily solar potential based on actual irradiance data.

Local Environmental Challenges

Several environmental and weather factors in Walters, Oklahoma could potentially impact solar panel performance:

• Severe Weather Events: Oklahoma experiences frequent thunderstorms, hail, and occasional tornadoes that can damage solar installations
• Dust and Agricultural Particles: The rural agricultural environment can lead to dust accumulation on panels, reducing efficiency
• High Winds: Strong prairie winds require robust mounting systems to prevent panel damage
• Temperature Extremes: Hot summers can reduce panel efficiency, while winter weather may cause ice formation

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be implemented:

• Impact-Resistant Panels: Choose panels rated for hail impact and high wind loads to withstand severe weather
• Robust Mounting Systems: Install heavy-duty racking systems engineered for high wind zones
• Easy Cleaning Access: Design installations with safe cleaning access to remove dust and debris regularly
• Proper Drainage: Ensure panel mounting allows for water runoff and prevents ice dam formation
• Quality Inverters: Select inverters rated for extreme temperature ranges common in Oklahoma

Regular maintenance including cleaning and inspection becomes particularly important in this location to maintain optimal energy production throughout the year. Despite these challenges, the strong summer and spring solar output makes Walters a reasonably viable location for solar energy generation when properly planned and installed.

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 Walters

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.3594, Longitude: -98.3174 (Walters, 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 Walters, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Walters, United States (Lat/Long 34.3594, -98.3174) 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 Walters, 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 Walters, 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	39° 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 Walters, 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 Walters, 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 Walters, United States

Topographical Features Around Walters

The area surrounding Walters, Oklahoma is characterized by gently rolling plains typical of the southwestern region of the state. This location sits within the Red River Plains physiographic region, where the landscape consists primarily of low hills, shallow valleys, and relatively flat agricultural land. The terrain gradually slopes toward the Red River valley to the south, creating a series of gentle undulations rather than dramatic elevation changes. The immediate vicinity features predominantly open farmland and pasture, with scattered clusters of trees along creek beds and property boundaries. Small tributaries and seasonal streams create shallow depressions in the landscape, though these waterways rarely present significant topographical obstacles. The soil composition includes red clay and sandy loam deposits, which contribute to the area's suitability for both agriculture and potential development projects.

Elevation and Drainage Patterns

The elevation in this region ranges from approximately 900 to 1,100 feet above sea level, with most variations occurring gradually across several miles rather than steep inclines. The highest points tend to be low ridges running in an east-west direction, while the lowest areas follow the natural drainage patterns toward the Red River system to the south. Seasonal water flow patterns create temporary wetlands in some low-lying areas during spring months, though the majority of the landscape maintains good drainage throughout the year. The gentle topography means that surface water rarely accumulates for extended periods, and the porous soil conditions allow for efficient water infiltration.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations would be the elevated plateaus and gentle south-facing slopes found throughout the region. These areas offer several advantages including minimal grading requirements, natural drainage away from equipment, and reduced risk of flooding during heavy rainfall events. The open agricultural land north and east of Walters presents particularly favorable conditions, where large contiguous parcels of relatively flat terrain could accommodate extensive solar arrays with minimal site preparation. These areas typically feature good road access for construction and maintenance activities, while being sufficiently removed from residential areas to minimize visual impact concerns. Areas to avoid would include the immediate floodplains of local creeks and streams, as well as the few locations with steeper slopes that might require significant earthwork. The natural drainage patterns should be preserved to prevent erosion issues, making the slightly elevated areas between drainage channels the most practical choices for development. The consistent topography across much of the region means that multiple sites could potentially be developed simultaneously, taking advantage of existing infrastructure and shared transmission access points. The gentle terrain would allow for optimal panel orientation and spacing while minimizing the need for expensive site modifications or specialized mounting systems designed for challenging topographical conditions.

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.