Solar PV Analysis of Lakewood, Washington, United States
Lakewood, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed scenario for year-round solar energy generation. The city's position at latitude 47.158 and longitude -122.5462 offers varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Lakewood fluctuates significantly throughout the year. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.91 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.21 kWh daily. However, autumn and winter see a substantial drop in energy output, with 2.54 kWh and 1.33 kWh per day, respectively.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
The ideal period for solar energy production in Lakewood spans from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies contribute to higher energy yields. The summer solstice in June marks the peak of solar potential, with energy production gradually declining as days shorten towards the winter months.
Panel Installation Considerations
For fixed panel installations in Lakewood, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 39 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and accounts for the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring the best overall performance across all seasons.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several factors can impact solar energy production in Lakewood:
- Frequent cloud cover, especially during autumn and winter months
- Potential shading from tall evergreen trees common in the Pacific Northwest
To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:
- Install high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions
- Conduct a thorough site assessment to minimize shading from nearby trees or structures
- Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove debris and maximize panel efficiency
While Lakewood's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper planning and installation can still yield significant benefits, particularly during the more favorable months of the year.
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 Lakewood, Washington
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.158, Longitude: -122.5462 (Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, Washington, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lakewood, Washington, United States (Lat/Long 47.158, -122.5462) 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 Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, Washington, United States
The topography around Lakewood, Washington (located at 47.158°N, 122.5462°W) is characterized by a mix of gently rolling terrain and flat areas. Lakewood itself sits on a plateau that was formed by glacial activity thousands of years ago. The city is surrounded by numerous lakes, which give it its name, and these bodies of water contribute to the area's varied landscape.
To the west of Lakewood, the land gradually slopes down towards the Puget Sound, with some areas becoming more hilly as they approach the coastline. To the east, the terrain becomes more varied, with a combination of small hills, valleys, and flatlands. The region is also dotted with forested areas, particularly pine and fir trees, which add to the topographic diversity.
Further east, the landscape begins to rise more dramatically as it approaches the foothills of the Cascade Mountain range. However, this more mountainous terrain is still some distance from Lakewood itself.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
The most suitable locations for solar PV would be relatively flat, open areas with minimal shading from trees or buildings. Some potential areas might include:
- Former agricultural lands to the south and southeast of Lakewood, where there are larger open spaces.
- Cleared areas near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which is located just south of Lakewood.
- Some of the flatter areas to the east of the city, where there might be less urban development.
However, it's important to note that the Pacific Northwest, including the Lakewood area, is known for its frequent cloud cover and rainfall, which can impact the efficiency of solar power generation. While large-scale solar PV is certainly possible in this region, it may not be as productive as in sunnier parts of the country. Any large-scale solar project would need to carefully consider these factors, along with local zoning regulations and environmental impacts.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 1st of August 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.
