Solar PV Analysis of Bainbridge Island, United States
Bainbridge Island, Washington is a decent place to generate solar energy year-round, but it's not the best. The amount of electricity you can expect to get from each kilowatt of installed solar varies by season. In Summer and Spring, you can expect around 6.91 and 5.21 kWh/day respectively which are pretty good numbers for generating solar energy.
However, in Autumn and Winter the output drops significantly to around 2.54 and 1.33 kWh/day respectively due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight because of the island's location in the Northern Temperate Zone.
The ideal time for generating solar at this location would be during Summer when the sun is out longer and more directly overhead, followed by Spring when there's still a fair amount of sunlight available.
To maximize total year-round production from your installed solar panels here, they should ideally be tilted at an angle facing 39 degrees South where they will get the most direct sunlight throughout different times of day across all seasons.
In terms of environmental or local factors that could affect your solar panel operation on Bainbridge Island:
- Weather conditions like heavy rain or snowfall could reduce their efficiency as they block out sunlight.
- The area is known for its cloudy days which also limit how much sunshine reaches your panels.
- Trees or other tall structures may cast shadows over your panels depending on where they're located which reduces their ability to generate power.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these factors:
- You might need to clean off any snow or debris regularly from your panels so nothing blocks them from getting sunlight.
- Consider installing additional equipment like sun trackers that adjust panel angles throughout the day towards wherever sun exposure is greatest.
- If possible, choose a site with minimal shading issues for installing your panels - away from tall trees or buildings if feasible.
Remember though: while these steps can help improve things somewhat, there will still be limitations due to the inherent weather patterns and geographical location of Bainbridge Island.
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 Bainbridge Island
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.6463, Longitude: -122.5331 (Bainbridge Island, 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 39° South in Bainbridge Island, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bainbridge Island, United States (Lat/Long 47.6463, -122.5331) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Bainbridge Island, 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 Bainbridge Island, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 62° 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 Bainbridge Island, 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 Bainbridge Island, 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 Bainbridge Island, United States
Bainbridge Island, located in the Puget Sound area of Washington State, United States, is characterized by a hilly topography with a mix of forested areas and residential settlements. The island is surrounded by water bodies and has an elevation that varies from sea level to about 425 feet at its highest point.
The region experiences a temperate maritime climate with relatively mild winters and cool summers. However, it's important to note that Bainbridge Island and the surrounding Pacific Northwest region are known for their high levels of cloud cover and rainfall which could impact solar energy production.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are preferred as they facilitate easier installation and maintenance while maximizing exposure to sunlight. Areas devoid of heavy tree coverage would also be beneficial due to reduced shading. Considering these factors, potential suitable locations for large-scale solar PV around Bainbridge Island might include:
1) Open spaces within the island itself – there are several parks and open spaces on Bainbridge Island where large scale solar projects could potentially be set up subject to local regulations.
2) Mainland areas near Poulsbo or Silverdale – These regions north-west of Bainbridge Island have some open land that may be suited for such projects.
3) Across the Puget Sound towards Seattle - There may also be potential sites on the mainland towards Seattle although urban density increases here which can limit available space.
However, any decision should take into account not just geographical suitability but also other factors like local weather conditions (specifically levels of sunshine), availability & cost of land, proximity to power grids for transmission efficiency & ease as well as regulatory permissions & environmental considerations.
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: Wednesday 26th of June 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.
