Solar PV Analysis of Clinton, Missouri, United States
Clinton, Missouri, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar productivity varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.72 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.14 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in output, producing 4.10 kWh/day/kW. Winter experiences the lowest productivity, with only 2.49 kWh/day/kW.
Optimal Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Clinton, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 34-degree tilt angle facing south. This orientation ensures optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's latitude.
Environmental Factors
While Clinton's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The area experiences occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, which could potentially damage solar installations. To mitigate these risks, it's advisable to use sturdy mounting systems and impact-resistant solar panels.
Snow accumulation during winter months may temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. Installing panels at the recommended 34-degree angle helps facilitate snow sliding off the panels. Additionally, using a snow rake or similar tool can help remove heavy snow buildup when necessary.
Conclusion
Overall, Clinton, Missouri, presents a viable location for solar PV installations. While winter months see reduced output, the strong performance during spring and summer months compensates for this seasonal variation. With proper installation techniques and preventative measures against severe weather, solar energy can be a reliable and sustainable power source in this region.
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 Clinton, Missouri
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.402, Longitude: -93.7836 (Clinton, Missouri, 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 34° South in Clinton, Missouri, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Clinton, Missouri, United States (Lat/Long 38.402, -93.7836) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Clinton, Missouri, 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 Clinton, Missouri, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° 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 | 43° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 32° 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 Clinton, Missouri, 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 Clinton, Missouri, 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 Clinton, Missouri, United States
The topography around Clinton, United States, located at latitude 38.402 and longitude -93.7836, is generally characterized by gently rolling hills and plains. This area is part of the Osage Plains region, which is known for its subtle elevation changes and open landscapes. The terrain is mostly comprised of low, undulating hills interspersed with flat areas and shallow valleys.
The elevation in and around Clinton typically ranges from about 700 to 900 feet above sea level. The land gradually slopes downward as you move eastward towards the Mississippi River basin. Small streams and creeks meander through the area, creating minor variations in the local topography.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would be the relatively flat, open spaces that are abundant in this region. Ideal locations would be found on the plateaus and broader hilltops, where the land is level and free from significant obstructions. These areas offer the advantage of minimal shading and maximum exposure to sunlight throughout the day.
Particularly promising locations for solar farms might be found in the rural areas surrounding Clinton, especially to the south and west. These regions tend to have more expansive, uninterrupted stretches of land that could accommodate large arrays of solar panels. The gently sloping terrain in these areas would also provide natural drainage, which is beneficial for maintaining the solar installation.
It's worth noting that while the topography is generally favorable for solar PV, other factors such as land ownership, proximity to power infrastructure, and local zoning regulations would also need to be considered when selecting specific sites for large-scale solar projects. Additionally, care should be taken to avoid any low-lying areas near streams or in flood-prone zones, as these would be less suitable for solar installations.
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 28th of September 2024
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.
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.
