Orting, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation via photovoltaic (PV) panels. The location's solar potential varies significantly throughout the year, with distinct seasonal patterns affecting energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 6.87kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.15kWh/day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn (2.47kWh/day) and reaches its lowest point in winter (1.27kWh/day).

This stark seasonal variation indicates that Orting's solar potential is heavily influenced by its northern latitude and the resulting changes in daylight hours and sun angle throughout the year. The long, sunny days of summer provide ideal conditions for solar energy production, while the short, often overcast days of winter significantly reduce output.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Orting, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 39 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Factors and Mitigation

Several environmental factors can impact solar production in Orting:

1. Cloud cover: The Pacific Northwest is known for its frequent overcast conditions, particularly in fall and winter. This can significantly reduce solar output.
2. Rainfall: Orting receives substantial rainfall, which can temporarily decrease panel efficiency.
3. Ash fall: Due to its proximity to Mount Rainier, there's a potential risk of volcanic ash, which could coat panels and reduce their effectiveness.

To mitigate these factors, consider installing panels with anti-soiling coatings to reduce the impact of ash and dust. Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help maintain optimal performance. Additionally, using microinverters or power optimizers can help maximize energy production even when some panels are partially shaded or affected by environmental factors.

In conclusion, while Orting's location is not ideal for year-round solar production, it still offers significant potential, especially during spring and summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can be a valuable source of renewable energy in this area.

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 Orting

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.0979, Longitude: -122.2043 (Orting, 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 Orting, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Orting, United States (Lat/Long 47.0979, -122.2043) 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 Orting, 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 Orting, 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	49° 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 Orting, 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 Orting, 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 Orting, United States

Orting, located in Pierce County, Washington, sits in a scenic valley surrounded by gentle hills and farmland. The city is nestled between the Puyallup and Carbon Rivers, which have shaped the landscape over time. The topography around Orting is characterized by a relatively flat valley floor, with elevations gradually rising as you move away from the city center. To the east and west of Orting, the terrain becomes more varied, with rolling hills and small ridges dotting the landscape. These areas are primarily used for agriculture, with many farms and orchards taking advantage of the rich soil deposited by the rivers over centuries. As you move further east, the terrain becomes more dramatic, with the foothills of the Cascade Mountains beginning to rise.

Solar PV Potential

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, there are a few factors to consider. The ideal location would have ample open space, minimal shading from trees or mountains, and relatively flat terrain to simplify installation and maintenance. Given these criteria, the agricultural areas to the west and southwest of Orting show promise for solar PV development. These regions feature expansive, open fields with fewer trees and obstructions compared to the more densely forested areas to the east. The gently rolling terrain in these areas could still accommodate large solar arrays without requiring extensive land modification. However, it's important to note that the Pacific Northwest, including the Orting area, receives less direct sunlight compared to other regions of the United States. This factor may impact the overall efficiency and economic viability of large-scale solar projects in the area. Additionally, the region's frequent cloud cover and rainy weather patterns could further affect solar energy production. Despite these challenges, advancements in solar technology have made it increasingly feasible to generate solar power in less-than-ideal conditions. With careful site selection and proper system design, the open spaces around Orting could still provide opportunities for solar energy development, 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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.