Solar PV Analysis of Ellensburg, United States
Ellensburg, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed scenario for year-round solar energy generation via photovoltaic (PV) systems. The city's geographical position at latitude 47.0046 and longitude -120.5068 influences its solar potential throughout the year.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Ellensburg varies significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.34 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, yielding 5.59 kWh/day. However, autumn and winter see a substantial drop in energy output, with 2.83 kWh/day and 1.40 kWh/day respectively.
This stark seasonal contrast highlights the importance of planning for year-round energy needs. While summer months offer abundant solar energy, winter production is notably low, requiring alternative energy sources or significant energy storage solutions to maintain consistent power supply.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Ellensburg, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 39-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the city's latitude and seasonal sun paths, ensuring the best possible energy capture throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Ellensburg faces some environmental and weather-related challenges that can affect solar energy production. The region experiences significant snowfall during winter months, which can temporarily reduce panel efficiency if not properly managed. Regular panel cleaning and the use of snow-shedding systems can help mitigate this issue.
Additionally, Ellensburg is known for its windy conditions, particularly in spring and fall. While this doesn't directly impact solar production, it necessitates robust mounting systems to ensure panel stability and longevity.
Forest fires in the Pacific Northwest during summer months can occasionally lead to hazy skies, potentially reducing solar efficiency. Installing high-quality panels with anti-soiling coatings can help maintain performance during these periods.
Conclusion
While Ellensburg's location presents challenges for year-round solar energy production, particularly in winter, the strong performance during summer and spring makes it a viable option for supplemental energy generation. With proper system design, optimal panel placement, and preventative measures against environmental factors, solar PV can be an effective part of the local energy mix.
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 Ellensburg
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.0046, Longitude: -120.5068 (Ellensburg, 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 Ellensburg, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ellensburg, United States (Lat/Long 47.0046, -120.5068) 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 Ellensburg, 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 Ellensburg, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30° South in Summer | 50° 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 Ellensburg, 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 Ellensburg, 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 Ellensburg, United States
The topography around Ellensburg, Washington, is diverse and interesting. The city itself sits in the Kittitas Valley, a relatively flat area surrounded by more dramatic landscapes. To the west, you'll find the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, which rise up steeply and are covered in dense forests. These mountains create a rain shadow effect, making the Ellensburg area much drier than the western side of the Cascades.
To the east and south of Ellensburg, the landscape transitions into rolling hills and prairies. This area, known as the Columbia Plateau, features open grasslands and shrub-steppe ecosystems. As you move further east, you'll encounter more rugged terrain with deep canyons carved by the Columbia River and its tributaries.
North of Ellensburg, the topography becomes more varied, with a mix of forested hills and valleys. The Wenatchee Mountains, a subrange of the Cascades, lie to the northeast and offer scenic vistas of snow-capped peaks.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the regions east and south of Ellensburg hold the most promise. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy production:
1. Abundant sunshine: The rain shadow effect of the Cascades means this region receives more sunny days than areas west of the mountains.
2. Open, flat terrain: The Columbia Plateau provides expansive areas of relatively flat land, which is ideal for installing large solar arrays without the need for extensive grading or earthwork.
3. Lower agricultural value: Some of the shrub-steppe areas may be less productive for farming, making them more available for alternative uses like solar farms.
4. Proximity to existing infrastructure: The area around Ellensburg has a well-developed electrical grid, which is crucial for transmitting the power generated by solar installations.
While the immediate vicinity of Ellensburg could support solar PV, areas further east towards the Columbia River and south towards Yakima might be even more suitable due to their slightly lower elevation, which can result in warmer temperatures and less cloud cover. However, any large-scale solar project would require careful environmental impact assessments and consideration of local land use regulations.
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: Sunday 25th 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.
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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.
