Solar PV Analysis of Poulsbo, United States
Poulsbo, Washington, is in a location where you can generate energy from solar panels throughout the year, but it's not always ideal. The amount of electricity you can expect to get from each kilowatt of installed solar power changes with the seasons. In summer, you'll get about 6.91 kilowatt-hours per day; in autumn, that drops to 2.54; winter gives us the least at 1.33; and spring brings it back up to around 5.21.
So if we're looking for the best time of year for generating solar power here, summer would be your top pick because that's when you'd get the most energy out of your panels. Spring would be second-best.
If you're installing fixed panel solar systems in Poulsbo, tilting them towards south at an angle of about 39 degrees is recommended as this will maximize their total production all-year-round.
Now let's consider some local factors that might affect how much energy your panels can produce:
Weather: Being located in Washington State means there are periods during late fall and winter when cloud cover may reduce sunlight exposure significantly which could impede your system’s performance during those times.
Environmental Factors: Depending on where exactly in Poulsbo you are located there could also be issues with shading from trees or buildings especially during winter months when sun is low on horizon.
Preventative Measures: To ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
- Regularly clean and maintain your panels to keep them functioning optimally.
- If possible try positioning them somewhere they won't be shaded by trees or buildings.
- Consider investing into a more advanced system that allows for tracking sun movement throughout day/year maximizing exposure even under less ideal conditions (although this will increase initial cost).
Remember though - while these measures can help optimize output they cannot completely overcome limitations imposed by local weather/environmental conditions so always take those into account when planning your solar installation.
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 Poulsbo
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.7438, Longitude: -122.6265 (Poulsbo, 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 Poulsbo, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Poulsbo, United States (Lat/Long 47.7438, -122.6265) 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 Poulsbo, 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 Poulsbo, 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 Poulsbo, 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 Poulsbo, United States.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Poulsbo, United States
Poulsbo is located in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The topography of the region is characterized by a mix of coastal areas, forests and hills. Poulsbo itself is located near the coast of Liberty Bay, part of Puget Sound.
The area has a moderate maritime climate with relatively mild winters and cool summers. However, it's important to note that Poulsbo receives less annual sunshine hours compared to other parts of the U.S., which could affect solar PV efficiency.
In terms of large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas would be most suitable to allow for maximum sunlight exposure. Considering this factor along with proximity to power transmission lines (to minimize infrastructure costs), potential locations could include cleared land or agricultural fields away from densely forested areas or steep slopes.
However, due to lower sunlight levels in this region compared with others in the U.S., it may require additional considerations such as more efficient solar panels or supplementary energy sources for effective large-scale solar power generation.
It's also crucial to consider local regulations and community attitudes towards renewable energy projects when planning such initiatives. A detailed site-specific feasibility study would provide more comprehensive information about potential sites for large-scale solar PV installations around Poulsbo.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 25th of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
