Solar PV Analysis of Greenacres, United States
Greenacres, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed landscape for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar potential varies significantly across seasons, reflecting the challenges and opportunities for photovoltaic (PV) systems in this area.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 7.36 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. This high performance is due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.74 kWh/day, benefiting from increasing daylight and generally clearer skies.
Autumn sees a notable decrease in solar production, with 3.01 kWh/day, as daylight hours shorten and weather patterns become more variable. Winter presents the biggest challenge, with a significantly reduced output of 1.27 kWh/day, owing to shorter days, lower sun angles, and potentially cloudy or snowy conditions.
Optimizing Solar Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Greenacres, panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 39 degrees facing South. This optimal angle helps balance energy capture across seasons, particularly enhancing performance during the less productive autumn and winter months.
Environmental Considerations
While Greenacres enjoys favorable conditions for solar energy during much of the year, there are some environmental factors that could impact solar production:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
- Occasional forest fire smoke in summer may slightly decrease solar irradiance
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off and using high-quality, easy-to-clean panels that resist ash and dust buildup. Regular maintenance, including cleaning panels after snowfall or during smoky periods, can help maintain optimal performance.
Despite these challenges, Greenacres offers a viable location for solar PV systems, particularly when designed with local conditions in mind. The substantial production during spring and summer can offset the reduced winter output, making year-round solar energy generation a practical option for this Washington community.
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 Greenacres
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.6592, Longitude: -117.1594 (Greenacres, 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 Greenacres, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Greenacres, United States (Lat/Long 47.6592, -117.1594) 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 Greenacres, 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 Greenacres, 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 Greenacres, 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 Greenacres, 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 Greenacres, United States
The topography around Greenacres, Washington, which is located at 47.6592°N latitude and 117.1594°W longitude, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills and relatively flat areas. This region is part of the larger Spokane Valley, situated east of the city of Spokane.
The landscape is primarily shaped by ancient glacial activity and subsequent erosion. The area features a combination of open grasslands, scattered woodlands, and some agricultural fields. To the north and south of Greenacres, the terrain becomes slightly more elevated, with low hills and ridges providing some variation in the landscape.
The nearby Spokane River flows to the north of Greenacres, carving a shallow valley through the region. This river valley adds some topographic diversity to the area, with steeper slopes leading down to the water's edge in certain locations.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the relatively flat and open spaces to the east and southeast of Greenacres would be most appropriate. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy development:
- They have fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels, such as tall buildings or dense forests.
- The gentle slopes in these areas can provide a natural tilt for solar panels, potentially increasing their efficiency.
- There is ample open space for large arrays of solar panels without significant land use conflicts.
- The region receives a fair amount of sunlight throughout the year, making it viable for solar energy production.
However, it's important to note that while the topography is suitable, other factors such as local zoning regulations, grid connectivity, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when planning any large-scale solar PV installations in the 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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 24th of September 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.
