Molalla, Oregon, in the United States, offers varying potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. This northern temperate location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar production that potential solar adopters should understand.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Molalla would produce their highest output during summer months, generating approximately 7.12kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.46kWh/day. Production drops considerably in autumn to 2.90kWh/day, while winter shows the lowest generation at just 1.36kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

This pronounced seasonal variation means Molalla residents would experience excellent solar production for roughly half the year (spring and summer), but significantly reduced output during fall and especially winter months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Molalla, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 37 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the annual solar harvest by balancing seasonal variations in sun position.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors may impact solar production in this location:

• Winter cloud cover and rain: The Pacific Northwest experiences extended cloudy periods and precipitation during winter months, further reducing the already low winter solar potential.
• Potential snow accumulation: Occasional winter snowfall can temporarily block panels if not properly installed to allow snow sliding.
• Forest fire smoke: During late summer and fall, smoke from regional wildfires can significantly reduce solar irradiance.
• Morning fog: Valley fog can delay morning solar production, particularly during fall and winter months.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production in Molalla despite these challenges, consider these installation approaches:

• Install panels at the recommended 37-degree tilt to optimize year-round production and promote natural snow shedding.
• Consider ground-mounted systems that allow easier access for snow removal when necessary.
• Implement micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize production losses when parts of the array are shaded or covered.
• Regular cleaning, especially after wildfire season, to remove ash and dust accumulation.
• Position arrays away from trees that could cast shadows, particularly during low-sun winter months.

While Molalla isn't ideal for year-round consistent solar production, proper system sizing that accounts for the excellent summer and spring performance can still make solar a worthwhile investment for residents looking to offset annual electricity costs.

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 3041 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 Molalla

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 45.1473, Longitude: -122.577 (Molalla, 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 Molalla, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Molalla, United States (Lat/Long 45.1473, -122.577) 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 Molalla, 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 Molalla, 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 Molalla, 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 Molalla, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Molalla, United States

The topography around Molalla, Oregon presents a diverse and dynamic landscape characteristic of the western Cascade foothills. Situated approximately 25 miles south of Portland, Molalla rests in a transitional zone between the flat Willamette Valley to the west and the more rugged Cascade Mountain Range to the east. The elevation in the immediate Molalla area averages around 400-500 feet above sea level, gradually increasing as one moves eastward toward the mountains. The terrain immediately surrounding Molalla consists of gently rolling hills and small valleys, with numerous creeks and streams including the Molalla River, which flows through the area. This river has carved a modest valley through the landscape, creating varied topographical features. The land displays a mix of open agricultural fields in the flatter areas, interspersed with woodlands covering the hillsides and more elevated regions.

Surrounding Terrain Features

As one moves east from Molalla, the landscape becomes increasingly steep and forested, with elevations rising to 1,000-3,000 feet within just a few miles. These foothills feature steeper slopes, deeper ravines, and denser forest cover, primarily consisting of Douglas fir, western hemlock, and various hardwoods. The western and southwestern approaches to Molalla, by contrast, flatten out considerably as they merge with the broader Willamette Valley, presenting more open agricultural land with gentler contours. To the north and northwest, the terrain maintains a pattern of modest hills and small plateaus before eventually descending toward the Clackamas River valley. The southern approach features similar rolling hill country that gradually increases in elevation toward the Cascade foothills.

Potential Areas for Solar Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development, the most suitable areas near Molalla would be found in the flatter, more open terrain to the west and southwest, where the foothills transition into the Willamette Valley. These areas offer several advantages for solar development: The relatively flat agricultural lands present fewer engineering challenges for installation and maintenance of solar arrays. These western regions have fewer topographical obstructions that might cast shadows, allowing for more consistent solar exposure throughout the day. The lower elevation areas generally have less forest cover to clear, reducing environmental impact and development costs. Specifically, the areas between Molalla and Canby, extending westward toward the Willamette River, offer some of the most promising terrain for large-scale solar installations. These locations combine favorable topography with proximity to existing electrical infrastructure and transportation networks. The hillier terrain to the east, while offering some south-facing slopes that could potentially be suitable for solar development, generally presents more challenges due to steeper grades, increased forest cover, and more complex drainage patterns. Additionally, these areas often have greater ecological sensitivity as they approach the Cascade Range. The northwestern corridor between Molalla and Oregon City also contains some suitable flat to gently rolling terrain, though development in this direction would need to navigate more residential areas and smaller property parcels compared to the more open agricultural lands to the west and southwest.

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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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.