Solar PV Analysis of Blaine, United States
Blaine, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar energy generation. This coastal city experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts its overall suitability for solar PV installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 7.15 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.30 kWh daily. However, the output drops dramatically during autumn and winter, with 2.42 kWh and 1.34 kWh per day, respectively.
These figures highlight the stark contrast between the bright, long days of summer and the short, often overcast days of winter in the Pacific Northwest. The ideal times for solar generation in Blaine are clearly from late spring through early fall, when daylight hours are longer and skies tend to be clearer.
Optimal Panel Positioning
For fixed panel installations in Blaine, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 40 degrees facing south. This angle helps optimize energy capture across all seasons, balancing the high sun angle in summer with the lower winter sun.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several factors can impede solar production in Blaine:
- Cloud cover: The Pacific Northwest is known for its frequent overcast conditions, especially in fall and winter.
- Rainfall: Blaine receives significant precipitation, which can reduce solar efficiency.
- Coastal fog: Being close to the coast, morning fog can delay solar production on some days.
To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:
- Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
- Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove salt spray and other debris.
- Consider a tracking system to maximize energy capture during clear periods.
- Install micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading.
While Blaine's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper system design and maintenance can still yield significant benefits, especially during the more favorable months.
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 Blaine
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.9647, Longitude: -122.7388 (Blaine, 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 Blaine, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Blaine, United States (Lat/Long 48.9647, -122.7388) 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 Blaine, 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 Blaine, 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 | 41° 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 Blaine, 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 Blaine, 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 Blaine, United States
The area around Blaine, Washington, located near the U.S.-Canada border, features a diverse topography typical of the Pacific Northwest. The landscape is characterized by a mix of low-lying coastal plains and gently rolling hills, with elevations gradually increasing as you move inland from the shoreline.
To the west of Blaine lies the Strait of Georgia, part of the Salish Sea, which separates the mainland from Vancouver Island. The coastline in this area is marked by sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, and small bays. Moving slightly inland, you'll find relatively flat to gently sloping terrain, which was shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago.
As you travel east from Blaine, the land begins to rise more noticeably, transitioning into the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range. This area features more pronounced hills and valleys, with some steeper slopes and forested areas. However, the immediate vicinity of Blaine remains relatively low-lying compared to the more mountainous regions further east.
Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas near Blaine would likely be found in the flatter, open spaces to the east and southeast of the city. These areas typically receive more consistent sunlight throughout the day and have fewer obstructions from tall trees or buildings. The gently rolling hills in this direction could potentially provide south-facing slopes, which are ideal for maximizing solar energy capture.
However, it's important to note that the Pacific Northwest, including the Blaine area, experiences significant cloud cover and rainfall throughout much of the year. This climate factor may impact the overall efficiency and economic viability of large-scale solar projects in the region. Additionally, any potential solar development would need to consider local zoning regulations, environmental impact assessments, and the preservation of agricultural land, which is common in the surrounding area.
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: Wednesday 14th of August 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.
