Solar PV Analysis of Cheney, United States
Cheney, Washington is a decent location for solar energy generation year-round, though there are definitely times of the year when it's better than others.
During summer and spring, Cheney can produce quite a bit of electricity from solar panels - 7.36 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and 5.74 kilowatt-hours per day in spring for each kilowatt of solar panel installed. This means that these seasons are the most ideal times to generate solar at this location due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
However, during autumn and winter, the output drops significantly to 3.01kWh/day in fall and just 1.27kWh/day in winter because of shorter days and less intense sunlight.
For optimal performance throughout the year at this location, fixed-panel solar installations should be tilted at an angle of 39 degrees facing southward to maximize exposure to sunlight.
There could be several local factors that might affect the efficiency of solar production here such as cloud cover or snowfall which can block sunlight reaching the panels especially during winter months or rainy season. To mitigate these issues:
1) Solar panels should be installed on roofs with minimal shading.
2) Regular maintenance like cleaning off dust or snow from panels will also help ensure maximum efficiency.
3) For areas with heavy snowfall installing systems that allow for manual adjustment can enable you to change your panel angles as needed so they're not flat (where snow would accumulate).
In conclusion, while Cheney isn't perfect for year-round high-levels of solar power generation due its seasonal variations in sun intensity; with proper installation techniques including optimal tilt angle along with regular maintenance; it still presents a viable option particularly during summer and spring seasons.
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 Cheney
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.4949, Longitude: -117.5789 (Cheney, 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 Cheney, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cheney, United States (Lat/Long 47.4949, -117.5789) 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 Cheney, 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 Cheney, 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 Cheney, 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 Cheney, 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 Cheney, United States
Cheney, United States is located in the state of Washington. The area is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain with some forested areas. It's part of the Columbia Plateau region which features fertile soil due to volcanic activity in the past.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are most suitable as they allow for easier installation and maintenance while maximizing sunlight exposure. Areas with minimal tree cover would also be ideal to reduce shading on the panels.
Considering these factors, agricultural lands around Cheney could potentially be suited for large-scale solar PV installations given their flat topography and lack of tree cover. However, it's important to note that this would require careful consideration regarding land use trade-offs.
Furthermore, Eastern Washington gets relatively less rainfall compared to western parts of the state and has more sunny days which can favor solar energy production.
However, any decision on where exactly to place such an installation should consider detailed local topographic data along with other factors like climate (sunlight hours), proximity to power grids for transmission ease, environmental impact assessments etc.
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: Monday 8th of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
