Solar Energy Potential in Belfair, Washington

Belfair, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed opportunity for solar energy generation throughout the year. The seasonal variation in solar production is quite pronounced, with significant differences between summer and winter outputs. During summer, Belfair shows its strongest solar potential, generating approximately 6.87kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. This makes summer the prime season for solar energy production in this location. Spring follows as the second most productive season, with daily generation of about 5.15kWh per kilowatt of installed capacity. The production drops considerably during autumn, with only 2.47kWh per day per kilowatt of capacity. Winter represents the greatest challenge for solar generation in Belfair, with a modest 1.27kWh per day per kilowatt of installed capacity - less than one-fifth of the summer production.

Optimal Panel Installation

For residents of Belfair considering a fixed solar panel installation, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 39 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated by analyzing the sun's position throughout the year at this latitude, weighted by the solar energy potential for each day.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several significant factors may impact solar production in Belfair:

• Pacific Northwest cloud cover and rainfall, particularly prevalent during fall and winter months, contribute to the lower production figures in these seasons
• Potential forest shading, as Belfair is located in a heavily forested region of Washington state
• Marine fog from nearby Puget Sound waterways, which can reduce morning solar efficiency
• Possible snow accumulation during winter months, though typically not severe

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Belfair should include:

• Strategic tree management to minimize shading, especially on the southern exposure
• Snow-shedding panel designs or installations that facilitate easy snow removal
• Slightly steeper panel angles than the optimal 39 degrees if winter production is prioritized, to help shed snow and capture lower-angle winter sunlight
• Regular panel cleaning to remove pine needles, moss, and other debris common in this forested environment
• Consideration of microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading

While Belfair experiences significant seasonal variation in solar production, a properly designed system can still provide substantial energy, particularly from spring through early fall when production is at its highest.

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 Belfair

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.4507, Longitude: -122.8274 (Belfair, 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 Belfair, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Belfair, United States (Lat/Long 47.4507, -122.8274) 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 Belfair, 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 Belfair, 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	61° 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 Belfair, 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 Belfair, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Belfair, United States

Belfair sits within the scenic Mason County of Washington State, nestled at the southern end of Hood Canal, an extension of Puget Sound. The surrounding topography is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from coastal lowlands to forested hills and mountains. This area is part of the broader Puget Sound Lowland, which is bordered by the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Range to the east. The immediate vicinity around Belfair features gently rolling terrain with elevations generally ranging from sea level near the shorelines to approximately 300-500 feet in the nearby hills. Union River flows through the area, creating a small valley before emptying into Lynch Cove at the southern tip of Hood Canal. The landscape is predominantly covered by dense coniferous forests, typical of the Pacific Northwest, with Douglas fir, western hemlock, and western red cedar being the dominant species.

Surrounding Terrain Features

Moving outward from Belfair, the terrain becomes more varied and dramatic. To the west, the land rises more steeply toward the foothills of the Olympic Mountains, with peaks eventually reaching several thousand feet. These mountains create a significant rain shadow effect for the region. To the east, across Case Inlet, the Kitsap Peninsula presents similar forested, hilly terrain. The Green and Gold Mountains lie to the northwest of Belfair, forming prominent features in the local landscape. Tahuya State Forest covers much of the land west and northwest of Belfair, comprising thousands of acres of managed forest land with varied topography.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) development near Belfair, several factors must be considered, including topography, existing land use, and solar exposure. The most suitable areas would likely be: The cleared agricultural lands in the Kitsap Peninsula to the northeast of Belfair offer relatively flat terrain with fewer trees and obstructions. These areas have already been developed for agricultural use, which typically means they have good sun exposure and established access roads. Some of the managed forest areas that have been recently harvested or cleared, particularly on south-facing slopes, could provide opportunities for solar development. These areas would require less clearing than dense forest and may already have some access infrastructure in place. The relatively flat areas around the periphery of Belfair, where development has already altered the natural landscape, might be suitable for medium-scale solar installations. However, these areas are limited in size and may not be ideal for truly large-scale development. It's worth noting that the region faces some challenges for solar development. The abundant precipitation and cloud cover characteristic of the Pacific Northwest can impact solar efficiency. Additionally, the prevalence of tall coniferous forests creates potential shading issues that would need to be addressed through careful site selection. The most promising large-scale solar locations would likely be on the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula, where the rain shadow effect results in clearer skies. Areas with south-facing aspects at higher elevations might also receive better solar exposure throughout the year, though these locations would need to balance the benefits of elevation with the challenges of development on steeper terrain.

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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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.