Solar PV Analysis of Battle Ground, United States
The location at Battle Ground, Washington is not ideal for year-round solar energy production, but it can still be effective during certain times of the year. The amount of electricity that one can expect to generate from a kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies greatly with the seasons.
In summer, you could potentially generate about 7.15 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kW of installed solar. This is when you would get the most out of your solar panels due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
During autumn, this output drops to around 2.96 kWh/day per kW because there are fewer daylight hours and less direct sunlight as we move away from the summer solstice.
Winter sees a further decrease in potential solar energy generation with only about 1.42 kWh/day per kW being produced because winter days are shorter and sunlight less direct than any other time in the year.
Spring sees an increase again up to roughly 5.52 kWh/day per kW as we move towards summer with longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
To maximize total annual production from your solar panels at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 38 degrees facing southward, which aligns them better with the path of the sun across the sky throughout different seasons.
There could be some local factors that might affect your ability to produce solar power in Battle Ground though. It's known for its heavy rainfall especially during fall and winter which could reduce exposure to sunshine on many days thereby reducing your potential power generation significantly during those periods. Also regular snowfall during winters could cover up your panels blocking exposure totally until cleared off manually or melted away by sunshine when available next time
To counteract these challenges:
1) Regular maintenance and cleaning can help ensure maximum efficiency - clearing leaves or snow off panels regularly so they're not blocked.
2) Consider installing tracking mounts that follow sun's path across the sky, maximizing exposure.
3) Utilize energy storage solutions like batteries to store excess power during peak production times for use when solar generation is low.
So while not perfect, with the right set up and maintenance, solar power could still be a viable option in Battle Ground.
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 Battle Ground
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 45.7907, Longitude: -122.5288 (Battle Ground, 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 Battle Ground, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Battle Ground, United States (Lat/Long 45.7907, -122.5288) 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 Battle Ground, 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 Battle Ground, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29° South in Summer | 48° 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 Battle Ground, 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 Battle Ground, 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 Battle Ground, United States
Battle Ground is located in the state of Washington, United States. The topography around this area is generally characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain, with a mix of urban areas and agricultural lands. It's surrounded by forests and mountains at a distance.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are typically preferred as they can accommodate large numbers of solar panels with minimal shading issues. Therefore, the agricultural lands around Battle Ground could be potentially suitable for such projects.
However, it's important to note that the Pacific Northwest region where Battle Ground is located often has cloudy or rainy weather which may not be ideal for solar power generation compared to sunnier regions like California or Arizona. Also, any potential project would need careful environmental assessment considering local biodiversity and land use policies.
In terms of specific locations nearby suited for large-scale solar PV installation: Yacolt Burn State Forest due east could provide ample space but might have regulatory restrictions due to its status as a state forest; similarly Brush Prairie towards south-east has open spaces but again depends on land use regulations; more realistically private farmlands (with owner permissions) surrounding Battle Ground city might be most feasible options if they are available for such developments.
Remember that feasibility also highly depends on factors like proximity to transmission lines or substations (for feeding generated power into grid), soil stability (to support heavy solar arrays), local climate data etc., apart from just topography.
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: Thursday 16th 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.
