Kenmore, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar potential varies significantly across seasons, with summer offering the most promising conditions for photovoltaic (PV) energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the prime season for solar energy generation in Kenmore, with an impressive daily output of 6.87 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, yielding 5.15 kWh per day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn and winter, with outputs of 2.47 kWh and 1.27 kWh per day, respectively.

This stark seasonal contrast highlights the challenges of relying solely on solar power in Kenmore year-round. The location experiences its peak solar potential from late spring through early fall, making these months ideal for maximizing energy production.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Kenmore, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 39 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the sun's changing position across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar production in Kenmore: 1. Cloud cover: The Pacific Northwest is known for its frequent overcast conditions, especially during fall and winter months. 2. Rain: Kenmore experiences significant rainfall, which can reduce solar panel efficiency. To mitigate these challenges, consider using high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions. Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels can also help maximize energy production by removing dirt and debris that may accumulate due to rain and humidity.

While Kenmore's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper installation techniques and panel selection can help maximize the potential during the more favorable months, making solar a viable supplementary energy source for the area.

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 Kenmore

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.7541, Longitude: -122.2475 (Kenmore, 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 Kenmore, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kenmore, United States (Lat/Long 47.7541, -122.2475) 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 Kenmore, 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 Kenmore, 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 Kenmore, 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 Kenmore, 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 Kenmore, United States

The topography around Kenmore, United States, located at latitude 47.7541 and longitude -122.2475, is characterized by a mix of gentle hills, flat areas, and waterfront landscapes. Situated at the northern tip of Lake Washington, Kenmore is part of the greater Seattle metropolitan area in Washington state. The terrain gradually rises from the lakeshore, creating a series of low-lying hills and plateaus that extend inland. To the east of Kenmore, the land becomes more hilly as it approaches the Cascade Mountain range. These foothills provide a scenic backdrop to the area and contribute to its varied topography. To the west, the land is generally flatter, with some gentle slopes leading towards Puget Sound. The Sammamish River flows through Kenmore, adding to the area's diverse landscape. This river valley creates a natural lowland area that contrasts with the surrounding elevated terrain. The combination of water features, including Lake Washington and the Sammamish River, along with the undulating land, results in a picturesque and varied topography.

Potential Areas for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have ample open space, relatively flat terrain, and minimal shading from trees or buildings. The areas to the east of Kenmore, where the land begins to rise into the Cascade foothills, might offer some suitable locations for solar PV. These elevated areas could potentially receive more direct sunlight and have less urban development, providing the necessary space for large installations. However, the region's climate presents challenges for solar energy production. The Pacific Northwest is known for its frequent cloud cover and rain, which can reduce the efficiency of solar panels. Additionally, the area's northern latitude means shorter days during winter months, further limiting solar energy potential. Despite these challenges, advancements in solar technology have made it increasingly viable in less-than-ideal conditions. Large open spaces, such as former industrial sites or expansive rural areas to the north and east of Kenmore, could be considered for solar PV projects. These locations would need to be carefully evaluated for their specific solar exposure, land use regulations, and proximity to existing power infrastructure. It's important to note that while large-scale solar PV installations might be feasible in certain areas near Kenmore, they would likely need to be part of a diverse energy strategy that takes into account the region's unique climate and topography.

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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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.