Solar PV Analysis of Kennewick, United States
Kennewick, Washington, in the United States is a decent location for generating solar energy year-round. However, it's not perfect and the amount of energy you can generate depends on the season.
In simple terms, if you have 1 kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed at this location, here's what you can expect to generate:
- In summer: about 7.74 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day
- In autumn: about 3.37 kWh/day
- In winter: about 1.63 kWh/day
- In spring: about 6.41 kWh/day
So clearly, summer and spring are the best seasons for generating solar power in Kennewick because there's more sunlight during these months compared to autumn and winter.
If you're installing fixed panels (panels that don't move or adjust), they should be tilted at an angle of around 39 degrees facing South to get the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the year.
Now let's talk potential challenges that could affect your solar production in Kennewick:
The area has a semi-arid climate which means it experiences relatively dry conditions with some rainfall mostly during late autumn and winter months. This may lead to dust accumulation on your panels which can reduce their efficiency significantly over time if left unchecked.
Also, snowfall is occasional during winters but when it happens it could cover up your panels blocking sunlight completely until cleared off.
To overcome these issues:
Regular cleaning of your solar panels especially after dusty periods or snowfall would help ensure they are operating at their full capacity as much as possible.
Also consider installing devices like panel coatings that repel dust or even automated cleaning systems depending on how severe these issues are found to be locally.
Overall while not ideal all-year round due to seasonal variations in sun exposure and potential local weather-related challenges; with proper installation angle and regular maintenance one can still make good use of solar energy in Kennewick, Washington.
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 Kennewick
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.2292, Longitude: -119.1705 (Kennewick, 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 Kennewick, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kennewick, United States (Lat/Long 46.2292, -119.1705) 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 Kennewick, 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 Kennewick, 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 | 49° South in Autumn | 60° South in Winter | 38° 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 Kennewick, 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 Kennewick, 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 Kennewick, United States
Kennewick, located in southeastern Washington state, is situated in a broad flat plain with rolling hills to the north and west. The city lies along the Columbia River and is part of the larger Tri-Cities area which also includes Pasco and Richland. This region is known as a semi-arid desert with low annual rainfall.
The topography around Kennewick does not have any significant mountains or valleys that would obstruct sunlight, making it suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. There are several locations nearby that could be ideal for this:
1) Flat agricultural lands: There are extensive agricultural lands around Kennewick that receive abundant sunlight throughout the year. If these lands aren't actively used for farming, they could potentially be converted into solar farms.
2) Unused industrial sites: Industrial sites or brownfields that are no longer in use can also serve as potential locations for solar PV installation.
3) Rooftops: Large commercial buildings or warehouses with flat roofs can accommodate rooftop solar panels.
4) Desert areas: The surrounding desert areas get plenty of sun and could host large scale solar operations if environmental concerns are properly addressed.
However, before selecting a site for large-scale solar PV installations, it's important to conduct detailed feasibility studies considering factors such as land use regulations, proximity to power grids, 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: Saturday 13th of July 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.
