Solar PV Analysis of Lacey, United States
The location of Lacey, Washington, in the United States isn't ideal for year-round solar energy production due to its position in the Northern Temperate Zone. However, it can still generate a decent amount of solar power during certain periods of the year.
During summer and spring, this place has a higher potential for producing solar energy with an average output per kW installed reaching up to 6.91 kWh/day and 5.21 kWh/day respectively. This means that these two seasons are the best times for generating solar power at this location as they have longer daylight hours and usually clearer skies compared to other seasons.
On the contrary, autumn and winter see a significant drop in electricity output from installed solar panels with averages falling down to 2.54 kWh/day and 1.33 kWh/day respectively due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight.
If you're looking into installing fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them towards south at an angle of about 39 degrees would be optimal; this is because it allows panels to capture more sunlight throughout different times of day across all seasons thus maximizing total yearly production from your PV system.
However, there could be environmental or weather factors that might affect your system's performance such as heavy snowfall during winter which may cover your panels reducing their efficiency or even damaging them if not properly taken care of; frequent cloud cover or fog could also limit exposure to sunlight hence decreasing electricity generation especially during autumn/winter months when days are already short.
To overcome these challenges:
- Regularly cleaning off any snow accumulation on your panels will help ensure they continue capturing light efficiently.
- Using adjustable mounting systems instead of fixed ones can allow changing tilt angles based on season ensuring maximum exposure.
- Consider using microinverters which convert DC electricity produced by each individual panel into AC directly onsite; they can help improve overall system performance under cloudy conditions since each panel operates independently unlike traditional string inverters where performance of all panels is limited by the least performing one.
- Finally, installing a backup energy storage system like a battery can help store excess power produced during peak production times for use during periods of low or no generation.
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 Lacey
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.0213, Longitude: -122.7774 (Lacey, 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 Lacey, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lacey, United States (Lat/Long 47.0213, -122.7774) 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 Lacey, 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 Lacey, 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 | 49° 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 Lacey, 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 Lacey, 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 Lacey, United States
Lacey, located in the United States' State of Washington, is characterized by a relatively flat topography with slight undulations. It's part of the Puget Sound lowlands and is surrounded by forested areas and several bodies of water including lakes and rivers.
The city experiences a significant amount of cloud cover due to its location in the Pacific Northwest region. This could potentially limit the effectiveness of large-scale solar PV installations. However, solar energy can still be harnessed on less cloudy days or through more advanced technology that can utilize diffused sunlight.
In terms of specific locations for large-scale solar PV installations around Lacey:
1) Open fields or farmlands: These areas are typically flat and receive unobstructed sunlight which makes them ideal for setting up solar panels.
2) Industrial zones: Rooftops of warehouses or factories could also be utilized for installing solar panels without requiring additional land resources.
3) Brownfield sites: These are previously developed lands that are not currently in use. They may include abandoned industrial sites or unused public facilities, which can be repurposed into renewable energy projects like a solar farm.
It would also be important to consider factors such as proximity to power grids for easy transmission and distribution, local regulations regarding land use and renewable energy projects when choosing a suitable location for large-scale solar PV installations.
Please note that while these general suggestions might apply, it's always necessary to conduct an in-depth feasibility study taking into account all relevant aspects before making any decisions about where to install such systems.
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: Tuesday 2nd of April 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.
