Bonney Lake, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation via photovoltaic (PV) panels. The location's seasonal variations in solar output highlight both opportunities and challenges for year-round solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.87 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.15 kWh/day. These warmer months offer ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production.

However, the colder seasons present significant challenges. Autumn sees a sharp decline to 2.47 kWh/day, while winter performance drops dramatically to just 1.27 kWh/day per installed kilowatt. This stark contrast between seasons means that solar energy systems in Bonney Lake will have periods of high productivity interspersed with times of much lower output.

Optimizing Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production at this location, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 39 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude and longitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Bonney Lake's climate presents some challenges for solar energy production. The area experiences significant rainfall, particularly during the fall and winter months. This precipitation, often accompanied by overcast skies, can reduce solar panel efficiency. Additionally, the region's latitude means shorter days during winter, further limiting solar energy potential during these months.

To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove rain residue and maximize panel efficiency
• Consider adding a solar tracking system to increase energy capture, especially during the less productive months

While Bonney Lake may not be ideal for year-round solar production, the strong performance during spring and summer months can still make solar PV a viable option for supplementing energy needs. Proper system design and maintenance can help maximize the benefits of solar energy in this location despite the seasonal challenges.

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 Bonney Lake

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.1771, Longitude: -122.1865 (Bonney Lake, 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 Bonney Lake, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bonney Lake, United States (Lat/Long 47.1771, -122.1865) 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 Bonney Lake, 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 Bonney Lake, 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	49° South in Autumn	61° South in Winter	39° 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 Bonney Lake, 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 Bonney Lake, 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 Bonney Lake, United States

The topography around Bonney Lake, United States, located at coordinates 47.1771°N, 122.1865°W, is characterized by a diverse landscape that reflects the region's geological history and natural features. Situated in Pierce County, Washington, Bonney Lake is nestled in an area that combines rolling hills, plateaus, and valleys. The city itself sits on a plateau that overlooks the surrounding terrain, offering panoramic views of the nearby landscape. To the west, the land gradually descends towards the Puyallup River Valley, creating a gentle slope that transitions into lowland areas. This western side of Bonney Lake features a mix of residential developments and pockets of forested land. To the east of Bonney Lake, the terrain becomes more rugged and elevated. The foothills of the Cascade Mountains begin to emerge, creating a picturesque backdrop of forested hills and steeper slopes. This eastern region is home to numerous small lakes and streams, adding to the area's natural beauty and ecological diversity.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations for solar farms typically require flat or gently sloping terrain, ample sunlight exposure, and minimal shading from surrounding features. The Puyallup River Valley to the west of Bonney Lake presents promising opportunities for solar PV development. This area offers relatively flat terrain and open spaces that could accommodate large arrays of solar panels. The valley's orientation also allows for good sun exposure throughout the day, maximizing potential energy generation. Another suitable area for solar PV installations could be found in the plateau regions surrounding Bonney Lake. These elevated, relatively flat areas often have fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. The higher elevation may also provide better access to sunlight, especially during winter months when the sun's angle is lower. However, it's important to note that the region's climate, characterized by frequent cloud cover and precipitation, may pose challenges for solar energy production. Despite this, advancements in solar technology have made it increasingly viable to harness solar power even in areas with less-than-ideal weather conditions. Any large-scale solar PV project in the vicinity of Bonney Lake would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, land use regulations, and the preservation of the area's natural beauty. Balancing renewable energy development with conservation efforts would be crucial in maintaining the region's ecological integrity while moving towards a more sustainable energy future.

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

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.