Solar PV Analysis of Astoria, United States
Astoria, Oregon, is a decent location for solar energy production, but it's not the best. The amount of electricity you can get from solar panels changes with the seasons. During summer and spring, when there's more sunlight, you can expect to generate more electricity (6.80kWh/day in summer and 5.25kWh/day in spring per kW of installed solar). However, during autumn and winter when days are shorter and less sunny, your output will be lower (2.75kWh/day in autumn and 1.32 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar).
To get the most out of your solar panels year-round at this location, you should tilt them at an angle of 38 degrees facing south. This is because the sun is usually towards the southern part of the sky for us in the Northern Hemisphere.
However, there are some local factors that might affect how much energy you can produce from your solar panels here.
Astoria has a reputation for being one of Oregon's rainiest cities which means many cloudy days throughout the year; this could reduce how much sunlight reaches your panels hence reducing their efficiency.
Also due to its coastal location Astoria experiences frequent foggy conditions especially during early morning hours which again reduces sunshine hours available for PV conversion.
Furthermore strong winds common along coastlines could potentially damage exposed equipment such as PV modules unless they're securely mounted or shielded appropriately.
To overcome these issues:
1) Use high-quality weather-resistant materials that withstand heavy rainfall.
2) Install a tracking system on your panels so they can move with the sun through its daily path across sky maximizing exposure even on partly cloudy days.
3) Ensure proper installation techniques including secure mounting against wind damage.
4) Regularly clean off any debris or bird droppings to maintain maximum light absorption by panel surface.
5) Consider investing into battery storage system enabling storing excess power generated during peak times for use during periods of low or no solar production.
Remember, while Astoria might not be the ideal location for solar energy, it's still possible to generate a significant amount of power here with the right setup and precautions.
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 Astoria
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.1558, Longitude: -123.7978 (Astoria, 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 38° South in Astoria, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Astoria, United States (Lat/Long 46.1558, -123.7978) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 38° 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 Astoria, 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 Astoria, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 38° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30° South in Summer | 49° South in Autumn | 60° South in Winter | 38° 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 Astoria, 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 Astoria, 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 Astoria, United States
Astoria is located in the northwestern corner of Oregon, United States. It sits near the mouth of the Columbia River and is surrounded by hills and forests. The terrain is generally rugged with a mix of coastal plains, hills, mountains, and water bodies. The city itself lies on relatively flat land along the river but quickly rises into steep hillside areas.
The Pacific Ocean lies to its west providing a maritime climate which results in regular rainfall throughout the year. This high precipitation level may not make it an ideal location for large-scale solar PV installations as consistent cloud cover could limit sunlight exposure.
However, for large-scale solar PV installations nearby flatter regions would be more suitable such as those found further inland away from coastal influences where there might be less cloud cover and rainfall. Areas towards eastern Oregon or Washington state have more arid conditions conducive to solar power generation.
Also consider industrial zones or brownfield sites that are already disturbed rather than natural habitats or agricultural lands to minimize environmental impact. Rooftop installations on commercial buildings could also be considered within Astoria city limits.
Before deciding on any location for large-scale solar PV installation, factors like local climate data (including annual sun hours), land availability/costs/usage restrictions, proximity to transmission lines/grid connection points and local regulations should all be thoroughly researched.
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 7th of June 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.
