Moses Lake, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 47.1285, -119.2883, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar PV energy generation. The location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts its overall suitability for solar power production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Moses Lake, with an impressive daily output of 7.62 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. This high performance is due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight during the summer months. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 6.19 kWh per day per kW installed. This robust performance indicates that the transition from winter to summer brings a substantial increase in solar potential. Autumn sees a significant drop in solar output, producing 3.15 kWh per day per kW installed. This decrease is attributed to shorter days and the sun's lower position in the sky. Winter presents the biggest challenge for solar energy production in Moses Lake, with a daily output of only 1.51 kWh per kW installed. The combination of shorter days, lower sun angle, and potential cloud cover contributes to this reduced performance.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar production at this location, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 39 degrees facing South. This optimal angle takes into account the varying solar elevation throughout the year and helps to capture the most sunlight possible across all seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Moses Lake generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. 2. Dust storms, common in the region, may deposit particulates on panels, decreasing their effectiveness. To mitigate these issues, consider the following preventative measures: - Install panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off. - Implement a regular cleaning schedule, especially after dust storms. - Use anti-soiling coatings on panels to reduce dust accumulation. - Consider automated cleaning systems for larger installations. By addressing these factors, solar installations in Moses Lake can maintain higher efficiency and energy production throughout the year, despite the seasonal variations and environmental challenges.

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 Moses Lake

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.1285, Longitude: -119.2883 (Moses Lake, 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 Moses Lake, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Moses Lake, United States (Lat/Long 47.1285, -119.2883) 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 Moses Lake, 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 Moses Lake, 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
30° 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 Moses Lake, 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 Moses Lake, 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 Moses Lake, United States

The topography around Moses Lake, Washington in the United States is characterized by a diverse landscape shaped by ancient geological forces and more recent human activities. The area is part of the Columbia Basin, a vast region of eastern Washington that was dramatically altered by massive ice age floods thousands of years ago. The immediate vicinity of Moses Lake features a mix of flat to gently rolling terrain. The lake itself, which is the namesake of the nearby city, is a large body of water that stands out in the otherwise semi-arid environment. To the west and southwest of Moses Lake, the land gradually rises into low hills and plateaus, while to the east and northeast, the terrain remains relatively flat, extending into the expansive agricultural lands of the Columbia Basin.

Surrounding Landscape Features

The area around Moses Lake is marked by several distinct topographical features. To the north, the Beezley Hills rise above the surrounding plains, offering a stark contrast to the flatter areas closer to the lake. These hills are part of a larger anticline structure that runs roughly east-west through the region. South of Moses Lake, the landscape is dominated by the Drumheller Channels, a complex network of coulees and buttes carved out by the ancient Missoula Floods. This area, now part of the Drumheller Channels National Natural Landmark, showcases the raw power of those prehistoric flood events, with steep-sided canyons and isolated mesas dotting the landscape.

Potential for Solar PV Development

The topography and climate of the Moses Lake area make it potentially suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. The relatively flat terrain in many parts of the surrounding region would be ideal for the placement of solar panels, as it would minimize the need for extensive land grading and allow for optimal panel orientation. Areas to the east and southeast of Moses Lake, where the land is particularly level and receives ample sunlight, could be especially well-suited for solar PV development. These locations benefit from the rain shadow effect of the Cascade Mountains, resulting in clear skies and high solar insolation rates throughout much of the year. The agricultural lands in the Columbia Basin, while valuable for farming, could potentially accommodate solar installations through innovative agrivoltaic systems that combine agriculture with solar energy production. This approach could help balance the region's agricultural heritage with renewable energy development. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to consider factors beyond just topography, including proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, environmental impacts, and local zoning regulations. The areas around the Drumheller Channels, for instance, might be less suitable due to their unique geological features and protected status. In conclusion, the diverse topography around Moses Lake offers both challenges and opportunities for solar PV development. With careful planning and consideration of the local landscape, there is significant potential for harnessing solar energy in this sun-rich region of Washington state.

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.