Solar PV Analysis of Auburn, Washington, United States
The location in Auburn, Washington, United States is not ideal for generating solar energy year-round due to its position in the Northern Temperate Zone. However, there are periods throughout the year where it can be quite effective.
In terms of seasonal output per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power: during summer you could expect about 6.91 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day; autumn would bring a significant drop to around 2.54 kWh/day; winter would see an even larger decrease down to approximately 1.33 kWh/day; and spring would cause an increase back up to roughly 5.21 kWh/day.
This means that the best times of the year for generating solar energy at this location are during the longer daylight hours of spring and summer when there's more sunlight available.
When installing solar panels at this location, they should ideally be tilted at a 39-degree angle facing south to maximize their exposure to sunlight throughout the entire year.
There may be local factors that could impact how much energy can be produced from these panels though including environmental conditions and weather patterns specific to Auburn, Washington. For example, being located in Pacific Northwest region known for its frequent rainy days might limit sun exposure significantly especially during fall and winter seasons which could reduce overall yearly production.
To help mitigate these potential issues when installing your solar system you might want take into account local weather patterns so you can position your panels in areas with maximum sun exposure or consider adjustable mounts that allow changing panel angles depending on time of year or expected weather conditions. Regular cleaning and maintenance will also ensure your panels remain efficient by preventing build-up of dust or debris that could block sunlight.
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 Auburn, Washington
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.2866, Longitude: -122.0914 (Auburn, Washington, 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 Auburn, Washington, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Auburn, Washington, United States (Lat/Long 47.2866, -122.0914) 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 Auburn, Washington, 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 Auburn, Washington, 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 | 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 Auburn, Washington, 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 Auburn, Washington, 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 Auburn, Washington, United States
Auburn is located in the state of Washington, United States. The topography around Auburn is a mix of flat and hilly terrain. It lies in the Green River Valley between Seattle and Tacoma, surrounded by larger hills, mountains and bodies of water like Puget Sound to the west and Lake Washington to the north.
The climate in Auburn is characterized by wet winters with a lot of rainfall, while summers are relatively dry with moderate sunshine. This makes it less ideal for large-scale solar PV compared to other parts of the U.S., such as southwestern states where sun exposure is much higher year-round.
However, if we were to identify areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations, they would likely be flat open spaces with minimal shading from trees or buildings - these could include agricultural lands or industrial zones around Auburn.
Keep in mind that factors other than just geography play into suitability for solar power - legislative support, local electricity prices and grid accessibility are also important considerations. For instance, despite not having an optimal climate for solar power generation compared to some regions, Washington State has implemented policies encouraging renewable energy development which could make projects feasible.
Additionally technological advances like more efficient photovoltaic cells can make up somewhat for lower levels of sunlight. Finally remember that even though it may not be ideal on a large scale basis due to weather conditions during certain periods of time (like winter), individual homeowners might still find installing rooftop solar panels beneficial depending on their specific circumstances (such as high local electricity rates).
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 14th 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.
