Solar PV Analysis of Lynnwood, United States
Lynnwood, Washington, in the United States is located in a place where you can generate energy from solar panels throughout the year. However, the amount of energy produced varies significantly by season.
During summer and spring seasons, this location generates quite a bit of electricity from solar power - 6.91 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panel capacity in summer and 5.21 kWh/day/kW in spring. This means that these are ideal times for generating solar power here.
On the other hand, autumn and winter see less sunlight so they produce less energy - 2.54 kWh/day/kW in autumn and only 1.33 kWh/day/kW during winter months.
To get the most out of your solar panels at this location all year round, it's recommended to tilt them at an angle facing southward by about 40 degrees. This position maximizes exposure to sunlight throughout different times of the day and across different seasons.
As for local factors that may affect how much energy you can produce with your solar panels: Lynnwood has rainy weather especially during fall and winter which could reduce output because rain clouds block sunlight from reaching your panels. There might also be trees or buildings casting shadows on your installation site which could further decrease production.
However, you can take some preventative measures to ensure greater efficiency despite these challenges:
1) Install tracking systems on your panels so they always face towards the sun regardless of time or season.
2) Regularly clean off any debris or dirt on your panels as these can also block sunlight.
3) If possible, choose an installation site without obstructions like trees or tall buildings nearby.
4) Consider using high-efficiency types of PV cells that perform better under cloudy conditions than traditional ones do.
In conclusion: While there are certain challenges related to weather conditions at this location particularly during fall/winter months, with the right setup and maintenance, solar power can still be a viable source of energy in Lynnwood.
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 Lynnwood
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.8022, Longitude: -122.286 (Lynnwood, 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 40° South in Lynnwood, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lynnwood, United States (Lat/Long 47.8022, -122.286) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 40° 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 Lynnwood, 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 Lynnwood, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 40° 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 Lynnwood, 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 Lynnwood, 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 Lynnwood, United States
Lynnwood, United States is located in the state of Washington. The topography around Lynnwood is relatively flat with some gentle hills. It's part of the Puget Sound lowlands, an area characterized by its coastal and estuarine environments. However, it also lies near the foothills of the Cascade Range to the east which are much more mountainous.
The city itself has a mix of residential, commercial and industrial areas with numerous parks interspersed throughout. There are several large open spaces that could potentially be suitable for solar PV installations.
However, when considering suitability for large-scale solar PV installations, factors other than just topography need to be considered such as local climate and weather patterns (solar irradiance), land use regulations, proximity to power grids for transmission etc.
Washington State isn't known for its high amounts of sunshine like southwestern states such as Arizona or California but does receive a moderate amount of sun annually which can still make solar energy viable.
Areas most suited would likely be open fields or industrial zones where there's less obstruction to sunlight and easier access for installation and maintenance work. Rooftops on larger buildings could also potentially host smaller scale installations.
It’s important to note that any specific site would require further detailed study including consultation with local authorities regarding permits and regulations related to renewable energy projects before proceeding with any plans.
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: Friday 19th 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.
