Milton, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation. The location's potential for solar power varies significantly throughout the year, with distinct seasonal patterns affecting energy output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.87 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, yielding 5.15 kWh/day. However, the colder months see a dramatic decrease in solar energy production. Autumn generates only 2.47 kWh/day, while winter performance drops to a mere 1.27 kWh/day per kW installed.

This stark seasonal variation indicates that solar energy generation in Milton is highly dependent on the time of year. The long, sunny days of summer provide ideal conditions for solar power, making it an excellent time for energy production and storage. Spring also offers good potential, with increasing daylight hours and generally clearer skies.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Milton, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 39 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the sun's changing position across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impact solar production in Milton:

1. Cloud cover: The Pacific Northwest is known for its frequent overcast conditions, especially in fall and winter. This can significantly reduce solar output during these seasons.
2. Rain: Milton experiences considerable rainfall, particularly from October to March, which can further diminish solar efficiency.
3. Short winter days: Being in the Northern Temperate Zone, Milton has notably shorter days during winter, limiting the hours of potential solar generation.

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels that perform better in low-light conditions.
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove rain residue and maximize panel efficiency.
• Consider a hybrid system with battery storage to compensate for low-production periods.
• Explore the use of solar trackers to maximize energy capture, especially during the limited daylight hours of winter.

While Milton's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper planning and installation can still make solar PV a viable and beneficial energy option, particularly during the 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 Milton, Washington

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.2478, Longitude: -122.3154 (Milton, Washington, 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 Milton, Washington, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Milton, Washington, United States (Lat/Long 47.2478, -122.3154) 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 Milton, Washington, 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 Milton, Washington, 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 Milton, Washington, 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 Milton, Washington, 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 Milton, Washington, United States

The topography around Milton, United States, located at coordinates 47.2478°N, 122.3154°W, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills, flat areas, and some steeper slopes. This region is part of the Puget Sound lowlands, situated between the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Olympic Mountains to the west. The area is generally low-lying, with elevations ranging from near sea level to a few hundred feet above sea level. Milton itself is situated in a relatively flat area, with some small hills and shallow valleys. The nearby Puyallup River valley provides a broad, flat expanse to the east of the city. To the west, the terrain becomes more varied, with a series of hills and ridges that gradually rise towards the Kitsap Peninsula. The region around Milton experiences a significant amount of rainfall and cloud cover throughout the year, which can impact the potential for solar energy generation. However, there are still areas nearby that could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, albeit with some limitations.

Potential Areas for Solar PV

The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations near Milton would likely be found in the flatter, more open spaces to the east and southeast of the city. The Puyallup River valley, extending towards Tacoma and Puyallup, offers expansive agricultural lands and some industrial areas that could potentially be repurposed for solar farms. Another area of interest might be the plateau region to the south and southeast of Milton, which includes parts of Graham and Spanaway. These areas have more consistent elevation and fewer obstructions, potentially allowing for larger solar arrays. It's important to note that while these areas may be topographically suitable, other factors such as land use regulations, environmental considerations, and grid connectivity would need to be carefully evaluated. Additionally, the region's climate, with its frequent overcast conditions, may reduce the overall efficiency of solar PV systems compared to sunnier locations in other parts of the country. Despite these challenges, advancements in solar technology have made it increasingly viable to implement solar projects in areas with less-than-ideal solar resources. With proper planning and the use of high-efficiency panels, large-scale solar PV installations could still be feasible in the Milton area, contributing to the region's renewable energy goals.

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.