Solar PV Analysis of McMinnville, United States
The location at McMinnville, Oregon, in the United States is somewhat suitable for generating energy via solar PV year-round. This area experiences different levels of sunlight throughout the year which will affect how much energy can be produced by a solar panel system.
During summer, you can expect to generate about 7.15 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels. This makes summer an ideal time to generate solar power in this location due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
In autumn, the output drops significantly to about 2.96 kWh/day per kW of installed solar because the days start getting shorter and there's less direct sunlight reaching your panels.
Winter has even lower production with only around 1.42 kWh/day per kW because it's typically cloudy and rainy during this season with very short days.
Spring sees an increase again as you get closer to summer with about 5.52 kWh/day per kW due to longer daylight hours and more sun exposure compared to winter months.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 37 degrees towards south would maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system since it aligns better with the path of the sun across the sky.
As far as environmental or weather factors are concerned that could impede solar production at this location, McMinnville does experience quite a bit of rain especially during winter months which could reduce output from your panels due their being less sunshine available on these days compared some other locations that have clearer skies all-year round such as desert areas like Arizona or Nevada in US where they get lots more sunshine annually than Oregon does generally speaking so it might not be absolutely ideal but still workable if managed correctly
To mitigate these issues when installing solar in McMinnville or similar climates:
1) Make sure your panels are kept clean - Rain can leave dirt and other debris on your panels which could block sunlight and reduce output. Regular cleaning can help ensure maximum production.
2) Consider a solar tracking system - This type of installation allows your panels to follow the sun's path across the sky, increasing their exposure to direct sunlight and potentially boosting production.
3) Install more capacity than you think you'll need - Because of the lower output in winter months, it may be beneficial to install more solar capacity than you might need during summer months so that even with lower winter production, you're still generating enough power for your needs year-round.
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 McMinnville
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 45.21, Longitude: -123.2003 (McMinnville, 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 37° South in McMinnville, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in McMinnville, United States (Lat/Long 45.21, -123.2003) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 McMinnville, 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 McMinnville, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29° South in Summer | 48° South in Autumn | 59° South in Winter | 37° 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 McMinnville, 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 McMinnville, 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 McMinnville, United States
McMinnville, located in the U.S. state of Oregon, is situated in the Willamette Valley region. The topography can be characterized as a mix of flatland and gently rolling hills, with surrounding areas transitioning to more mountainous terrain as you approach the Coastal Range to the west and Cascade Mountains to the east.
The Willamette Valley's landscape makes it potentially suitable for large-scale solar PV installations due to its relatively flat terrain. However, it's important to consider other factors such as local climate and weather patterns. While Oregon gets less sun than states like California or Arizona, solar power is still a viable renewable energy source there.
In terms of specific locations near McMinnville that could be suited for large scale solar PV:
1) Flat agricultural lands: These areas have ample space and sunlight exposure necessary for large-scale solar projects. However, it would need careful planning not to disrupt existing farming activities.
2) Industrial zones: Large buildings with extensive rooftops or unused land around industrial premises may provide good opportunities for installing photovoltaic panels without disturbing natural habitats or farmland.
3) Brownfield sites: Unused or previously developed lands (like old factories or mines), known as brownfield sites, could also serve as potential locations because they often require less environmental impact assessments compared to greenfield sites (undeveloped land).
Remember that any project needs thorough site assessment including aspects like sun exposure throughout the year (solar irradiance), connection possibilities to grid infrastructure and potential environmental impacts before determining suitability.
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: Monday 3rd of June 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.
