Solar PV Analysis of Maple Valley, United States
Maple Valley, Washington, in the United States, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Maple Valley, with an impressive daily output of 6.91 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, yielding 5.21 kWh/day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn and winter, with outputs of 2.54 kWh/day and 1.33 kWh/day, respectively.
These figures highlight the stark contrast between the warm and cold months, with summer producing more than five times the energy of winter. This variation is primarily due to the region's northern latitude, which results in shorter days and lower sun angles during the colder months.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Maple Valley, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 39 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental Factors and Mitigation
Several environmental factors can impact solar production in Maple Valley:
- Cloud cover: The Pacific Northwest is known for its cloudy weather, particularly during fall and winter. This can significantly reduce solar output.
- Rain: Frequent rainfall, especially in the cooler months, can further diminish solar efficiency.
- Snow: Winter snowfall can temporarily cover panels, reducing their effectiveness.
To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures:
- Install panels at a steeper angle to promote self-cleaning from rain and snow
- Use high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions
- Implement a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule
- Consider a ground-mounted system for easier snow removal
While Maple Valley's location presents challenges for year-round solar production, proper installation techniques and maintenance can help maximize energy generation, particularly during the more favorable spring and summer months.
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 Maple Valley
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.3845, Longitude: -122.0582 (Maple Valley, 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 Maple Valley, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Maple Valley, United States (Lat/Long 47.3845, -122.0582) 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 Maple Valley, 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 Maple Valley, 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 Maple Valley, 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 Maple Valley, 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 Maple Valley, United States
Maple Valley, located in King County, Washington, is situated in an area with varied topography. The landscape around Maple Valley is characterized by gently rolling hills, shallow valleys, and forested areas. The city itself sits at an elevation of about 350 feet above sea level, but the surrounding terrain includes both higher and lower elevations.
To the east of Maple Valley, the land begins to rise more dramatically as it approaches the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. This area features steeper slopes and more rugged terrain. To the west, the land gradually descends towards the Puget Sound lowlands, with a mix of flat areas and gentle hills.
The region around Maple Valley is known for its numerous lakes, rivers, and streams. The Cedar River flows to the north of the city, carving a valley through the landscape. Several smaller creeks and tributaries also wind their way through the area, creating a network of waterways and associated valleys.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, there are a few factors to consider. Ideal locations for solar farms typically have flat or gently sloping terrain, minimal shading from trees or mountains, and good sun exposure throughout the day.
Given these criteria, the areas to the west and southwest of Maple Valley might be more suitable for large-scale solar PV projects. These regions tend to have more open, less forested land with gentler slopes. The lowlands closer to the Puget Sound could offer larger, flatter areas that would be easier to develop for solar installations.
However, it's important to note that the Pacific Northwest, including the Maple Valley area, is known for its frequent cloud cover and rainfall, which can impact the efficiency of solar power generation. Any large-scale solar PV project in this region would need to carefully consider these climate factors in addition to the topography.
Ultimately, specific site assessments would be necessary to determine the most suitable locations for solar PV installations, taking into account not only topography but also factors such as land availability, proximity to power infrastructure, and local zoning regulations.
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: Monday 26th 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.
