Solar PV Analysis of Anacortes, United States
Anacortes, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone of the United States, has varying levels of solar energy production potential throughout the year. In simple terms, this means that how much electricity you can generate from solar panels changes with each season.
During summer and spring, Anacortes is a good place for solar power generation. With an average output of 7.15 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.30 kWh/day in spring for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity, these seasons provide ample sunlight to produce a significant amount of electricity.
On the other hand, autumn and winter see a drop in this output due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. In autumn you can expect about 2.42 kWh/day per kW installed while winter drops further to just 1.34 kWh/day per kW.
To maximize your total yearly power production from your solar panels at this location it's recommended they be tilted at an angle facing south by about 40 degrees.
As far as local factors that could hinder your ability to generate electricity from sun are concerned there are few things worth mentioning for Anacortes:
1) Weather: This region experiences significant rainfall especially during fall and winter months which could reduce sunlight availability thus affecting overall productivity.
Preventive Measure: While we cannot control weather conditions but using high-quality PV modules with excellent low-light performance might help offset some loss due to poor light conditions.
2) Cloud Cover: The Pacific Northwest is known for its cloudy skies which can limit direct sunlight exposure on many days throughout the year.
Preventive Measure: Again choosing high-efficiency panels designed to perform well even under partial shade or cloud cover would be beneficial here.
3) Debris & Dirt Accumulation: Pollen or dust buildup over time on panel surface might obstruct light absorption leading to lower efficiency.
Preventive Measure: Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels can help ensure they are working at their best capacity.
In conclusion, while Anacortes may not be the ideal location for year-round solar energy production due to its weather patterns, it is still feasible especially in spring and summer months. With careful panel selection and regular maintenance, one can certainly make the most out of solar power generation 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 Anacortes
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.5062, Longitude: -122.6291 (Anacortes, 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 40° South in Anacortes, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Anacortes, United States (Lat/Long 48.5062, -122.6291) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 40° 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 Anacortes, 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 Anacortes, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 40° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32° South in Summer | 51° South in Autumn | 63° South in Winter | 40° 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 Anacortes, 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 Anacortes, 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 Anacortes, United States
Anacortes, Washington, United States is located in the Pacific Northwest region and it's surrounded by a diverse topography. The city is on Fidalgo Island with elevations that range from sea level to over 1,200 feet. It has a mix of flat areas, rolling hills and steep slopes. There are also bodies of water around including the Puget Sound.
The area is heavily forested which could limit some locations for solar PV installations due to shading issues. However, there are open spaces that could be suitable for solar panel installation like agricultural lands or industrial zones.
In terms of large-scale solar PV installations though, one must consider not just topography but also climate and weather conditions. Anacortes has a marine west coast climate characterized by cool summers and mild winters with significant rainfall throughout the year which may not be ideal for maximizing solar energy production as compared to sunnier regions.
Nearby areas most suited for large-scale solar PV would likely be those with more consistent sunlight exposure and less cloud cover such as eastern Washington state (e.g., Yakima Valley or Tri-Cities area). These regions have flatter terrain and receive more annual sunshine making them better suited for large scale solar projects.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 27th of May 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.
