Solar PV Analysis of Frankfort, Kentucky, United States
Frankfort, Kentucky, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone of the United States, is a decent location for year-round energy generation through solar PV. The electricity output varies with each season due to changes in sunlight exposure and intensity.
During summer, you can expect the highest output at 6.24kWh per day per kW of installed solar. This means that during this time of year, your solar panels will be most effective and generate more electricity because there are more hours of sunlight and it's typically brighter.
In springtime, production remains relatively high with an average output of 5.56kWh/day per kW installed. However, as we move into autumn (fall), energy production starts to decrease to around 3.93kWh/day per kW due to shorter days and less intense sunlight.
Winter sees the lowest productivity rate at just 2.24kWh/day per kW because daylight hours are shortest and the sun is often obscured by clouds or bad weather conditions.
To maximize total yearly production from your solar PV system in Frankfort, Kentucky it's recommended that you tilt your panels at an angle of 33 degrees facing South for a fixed panel installation since this optimizes their exposure to sun throughout all seasons.
Despite these seasonal variations in energy generation potentialities, certain local factors could impede overall solar production efficiency in Frankfort area:
1) Overcast Weather: Regular cloud cover or foggy conditions can reduce the amount of direct sunlight reaching your panels.
Preventive Measure: Using efficient monocrystalline panels which perform better under low light conditions than other types can help mitigate this issue somewhat.
2) Snowfall: Heavy snow accumulation on panels during winter months can block sunlight completely.
Preventive Measure: Panels should be installed at an angle so that snow slides off easily; also periodic manual cleaning may be required after heavy snowfalls if they do not slide off automatically due to freezing temperatures.
3) Dust and Debris: Accumulation of dust, leaves or bird droppings can reduce panel efficiency.
Preventive Measure: Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels is required to keep them working at their optimum capacity.
In conclusion, while Frankfort, Kentucky may not be the most ideal location for solar energy production due to seasonal variations in sunlight exposure and local weather conditions, with proper installation and regular maintenance it's still a viable option for green energy generation.
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 Frankfort, Kentucky
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.2181, Longitude: -84.8788 (Frankfort, Kentucky, 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 Frankfort, Kentucky, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Frankfort, Kentucky, United States (Lat/Long 38.2181, -84.8788) 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 Frankfort, Kentucky, 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 Frankfort, Kentucky, 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 Frankfort, Kentucky, 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 Frankfort, Kentucky, 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 Frankfort, Kentucky, United States
Frankfort, the capital city of Kentucky, United States, is characterized by a mixed topography. It is situated in the Bluegrass region which features gently rolling hills and fertile soils. The Kentucky River also winds its way around the city forming deep valleys and gorges.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are preferable as they minimize installation complexities and costs. Areas with minimal shading from trees or other structures are also ideal to maximize sun exposure.
Considering these factors, agricultural lands or open fields on the outskirts of Frankfort could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations given their relatively flat terrain and likely unobstructed sunlight exposure. However, it's important that any such development should not negatively impact valuable farmland or natural habitats.
Also note that while physical geography is important in site selection for solar farms, there are many other factors to consider including proximity to existing power infrastructure (for grid connection), local climate (amount of sunshine), land use regulations etc. Therefore a comprehensive feasibility study would be required before any specific sites can be identified as being most suited for this purpose.
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: Friday 29th of March 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
