Jonesboro, Arkansas presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this Northern Temperate Zone location shows dramatic differences throughout the year. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 6.83 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it the prime season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best period with 5.71 kWh per day per kW, offering excellent production as daylight hours increase and weather conditions improve. Autumn sees a notable decline to 4.36 kWh per day per kW as the sun angle decreases and cloud cover typically increases. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.47 kWh per day per kW, representing roughly one-third of summer production levels.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at this location, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 31 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the seasons and the area's specific latitude.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in the Jonesboro area can significantly impact solar energy generation:

• Severe weather events including hailstorms, tornadoes, and high winds common to Arkansas
• High humidity levels that can reduce panel efficiency and promote debris accumulation
• Frequent thunderstorms during spring and summer months
• Ice storms during winter that can damage panels or reduce production
• Tree pollen and agricultural dust that can coat panels

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective. Installing panels with impact-resistant glass and sturdy mounting systems helps protect against hail damage and high winds. Proper drainage design prevents water pooling that could lead to electrical issues during frequent storms. Regular cleaning schedules become particularly important in this region due to pollen and dust accumulation. Installing panels with adequate spacing allows for better air circulation, helping combat humidity-related efficiency losses. Ground-mounted systems should be elevated sufficiently to prevent flood damage, while roof-mounted systems require extra attention to structural integrity given the potential for severe weather. Investing in monitoring systems allows for quick identification of performance issues, while choosing panels rated for extreme temperature variations ensures reliable operation through Arkansas's hot summers and occasional harsh winters.

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 Jonesboro, Arkansas

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.8363, Longitude: -90.6999 (Jonesboro, Arkansas, 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 Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States (Lat/Long 35.8363, -90.6999) 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 Jonesboro, Arkansas, 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 Jonesboro, Arkansas, 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
20° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	51° 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 Jonesboro, Arkansas, 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 Jonesboro, Arkansas, 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 Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States

Topographic Features of the Jonesboro Region

The topography around Jonesboro, Arkansas is characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the Mississippi River Delta region and the western edge of Crowley's Ridge. This area sits within the broader Mississippi Alluvial Plain, where the landscape has been shaped by centuries of river activity and sediment deposition. The elevation changes are generally modest, with most of the surrounding countryside featuring subtle undulations rather than dramatic hills or steep slopes.

Crowley's Ridge, a unique geological formation that runs north-south through eastern Arkansas, passes near Jonesboro and represents the most significant topographic feature in the immediate area. This narrow ridge rises approximately 100-200 feet above the surrounding floodplain, creating a distinctive linear highland that contrasts with the otherwise flat to gently rolling terrain. The ridge itself is heavily forested in many areas, while the plains on either side transition into agricultural land and scattered woodlands.

The surrounding landscape consists primarily of fertile agricultural fields interspersed with patches of bottomland hardwood forests. These areas typically feature very gentle slopes, with much of the terrain having gradients of less than two percent. Small streams and drainage channels crisscross the region, creating minor valleys and slight elevation changes that add subtle texture to what might otherwise be considered relatively flat countryside.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The agricultural plains extending west and southwest of Jonesboro present the most favorable conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These areas offer extensive tracts of relatively flat land with minimal shading from trees or other obstructions. The gentle topography requires minimal grading or site preparation, which can significantly reduce development costs while providing stable foundations for solar mounting systems.

Areas to the east and northeast, closer to Crowley's Ridge, may present more challenges due to increased tree cover and slightly more varied terrain. However, cleared agricultural land in these areas could still be suitable, particularly fields that have been recently harvested or are lying fallow. The key advantage of the agricultural zones is their existing cleared status and relatively uniform elevation profiles.

The floodplain areas, while topographically favorable, may present complications due to periodic flooding and higher soil moisture content. Solar developers would need to carefully evaluate drainage patterns and flood risk when considering these locations. Areas with better drainage and slightly higher elevation within the broader plain would be preferable for long-term installations.

North and south of Jonesboro, the continuation of the agricultural landscape provides additional opportunities for solar development. These areas maintain the same gentle topographic characteristics while offering good access to existing electrical infrastructure and transportation networks. The relatively open nature of the agricultural landscape in these directions minimizes concerns about shading from vegetation or topographic features.

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.