Solar Energy Potential at Newman Lake, Washington

Newman Lake, Washington, United States offers variable potential for solar energy generation throughout the year, with significant seasonal differences in energy production capacity. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences distinct seasonal patterns that directly impact solar PV performance. The energy output at Newman Lake shows a pronounced seasonal pattern. Summer stands out as the most productive period with an impressive 7.32kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 5.69kWh daily per kilowatt. Production drops considerably in autumn to 2.94kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest output at just 1.21kWh/day per kilowatt of installed capacity.

Optimal Installation Angle

For residents of Newman Lake considering fixed solar panel installations, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 39 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar collection across all seasons, taking into account the location's latitude and the varying solar elevation throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several significant environmental factors at Newman Lake can affect solar energy production:

• Heavy snowfall in winter months can cover panels, blocking sunlight and dramatically reducing output during already low-production periods
• Wildfire smoke during summer months, increasingly common in the Pacific Northwest, can reduce solar radiation reaching panels
• Cloudy and overcast conditions common in the Pacific Northwest, particularly during fall and winter

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, consider these installation strategies: Installing panels at the recommended 39-degree angle not only optimizes year-round production but also helps snow slide off more easily. Snow removal systems or manual clearing plans should be considered essential for winter maintenance. For wildfire season, installing panels with easy-access cleaning systems can help mitigate ash and smoke particulate buildup. Given the significant seasonal variation, with summer producing over six times more energy than winter, Newman Lake residents might consider oversizing their solar array to compensate for winter's dramatically lower production or implementing battery storage to bank excess summer production for use during lower-output periods.

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 Newman Lake

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.7768, Longitude: -117.0949 (Newman 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 Newman Lake, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Newman Lake, United States (Lat/Long 47.7768, -117.0949) 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 Newman 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 Newman 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
31° South in Summer	50° South in Autumn	62° South in Winter	40° 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 Newman 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 Newman 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 Newman Lake, United States

The landscape surrounding Newman Lake in the eastern part of Washington State presents a diverse topography characterized by both gentle slopes and more pronounced elevations. Newman Lake itself sits at an elevation of approximately 2,130 feet above sea level, nestled within the foothills that mark the transition between the Columbia Basin to the west and the Rocky Mountains to the east. The immediate vicinity of Newman Lake features rolling hills with moderate slopes, particularly along the eastern and northern shores. These hillsides are often covered with mixed coniferous forests typical of the inland Northwest, including ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. The western and southern approaches to the lake tend to be somewhat flatter, with more gradual terrain changes.

Regional Topographical Context

Moving outward from Newman Lake, the landscape becomes increasingly varied. To the east, the terrain rises more dramatically toward the Selkirk Mountains, creating a series of ridges and valleys that run roughly north-south. These higher elevations eventually connect to the broader Rocky Mountain system. To the west, the land gradually descends toward the Spokane Valley and eventually the Columbia Basin, representing one of the more significant plateaus in Washington State. This western approach features gentler slopes and more expansive flat areas, particularly as one moves further from the immediate vicinity of Newman Lake. The northern regions maintain a similar pattern of rolling hills, while the southern approach eventually encounters the Palouse region, famous for its distinctive rolling topography shaped by ancient glacial activity and wind-deposited loess soils.

Solar PV Suitability

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the areas west and southwest of Newman Lake present the most favorable conditions topographically. These regions offer several advantages for solar development: The western approaches feature more extensive flat or gently sloping terrain, which reduces the costs and complications associated with site preparation and construction. These areas typically require less grading and earth-moving work, making them economically advantageous for large installations. The southwest-facing slopes in this region would receive optimal sun exposure throughout the day, maximizing energy production potential. These areas benefit from longer direct sunlight periods compared to east-facing or heavily shadowed locations. The lower elevations to the west also tend to experience less extreme weather conditions than the higher terrain to the east, potentially reducing maintenance costs and structural requirements for solar arrays. The more open landscape to the west and southwest typically has less forest cover than the eastern hillsides, minimizing the need for clearing vegetation, which both reduces initial development costs and avoids potential environmental concerns related to deforestation. While the immediate shoreline of Newman Lake itself would not be suitable for large-scale solar development due to residential development, recreational usage, and potential environmental impacts, the agricultural and open lands beginning approximately 3-5 miles west and southwest of the lake offer promising opportunities for solar energy production. These western areas also benefit from proximity to existing transmission infrastructure connecting to the Spokane metropolitan area, potentially reducing interconnection costs for new solar facilities.

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.