Aberdeen, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 46.9763, -123.7965, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation. The location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts its overall suitability for year-round solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.76 kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.19 kWh/day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn and winter, with outputs of 2.69 kWh/day and 1.26 kWh/day, respectively.

These figures indicate that solar energy generation in Aberdeen is highly seasonal. The location is most suitable for solar PV during the longer, sunnier days of summer and spring. During these seasons, homeowners and businesses can expect to generate significant amounts of solar energy, potentially offsetting a large portion of their electricity needs.

Challenges and Considerations

The primary challenge for solar PV in Aberdeen is the dramatic decrease in output during autumn and winter. The winter output, in particular, is less than one-fifth of the summer production. This significant drop means that solar panels will be much less effective during the colder months, potentially requiring supplementary energy sources.

To maximize year-round solar production, 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 lower sun angle in winter with the higher summer sun.

Environmental Factors

Aberdeen's climate presents some challenges for solar energy production. The area is known for its frequent cloud cover and rainfall, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency. On average, Aberdeen experiences about 200 days of precipitation annually, with many overcast days even when it's not raining.

To mitigate these environmental factors, several preventative measures can be taken: 1. Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions. 2. Install micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading. 3. Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove debris and ensure panels are operating at peak efficiency. 4. Consider adding a battery storage system to store excess energy produced during sunny periods for use during cloudy days or nights.

While Aberdeen's location poses some challenges for solar PV generation, particularly during the darker months, the strong performance in summer and spring suggests that solar energy can still be a viable option. With proper system design and maintenance, residents can take advantage of the abundant solar resources available during the brighter half of the year.

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 Aberdeen, Washington

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.9763, Longitude: -123.7965 (Aberdeen, 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 Aberdeen, Washington, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Aberdeen, Washington, United States (Lat/Long 46.9763, -123.7965) 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 Aberdeen, 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 Aberdeen, 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
30° 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 Aberdeen, 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 Aberdeen, 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 Aberdeen, Washington, United States

The topography around Aberdeen, United States, located at latitude 46.9763 and longitude -123.7965, is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes coastal plains, river valleys, and forested hills. Aberdeen itself is situated near the confluence of the Chehalis and Wishkah Rivers, just inland from the Pacific Ocean. The immediate area surrounding the city is relatively flat, with low-lying areas that were once marshlands but have since been drained for urban development. As you move away from the city center, the terrain becomes more varied. To the east and northeast, the land gradually rises into the foothills of the Olympic Mountains. These hills are covered in dense forests, primarily consisting of Douglas fir, Western red cedar, and Western hemlock trees. The landscape is punctuated by numerous streams and small rivers that flow down from the mountains towards the coast. To the south and southeast of Aberdeen, the topography transitions into the Chehalis River Valley. This area is characterized by a wide, flat floodplain that has been extensively used for agriculture. The valley is bordered by rolling hills and low ridges, which become more pronounced as you move further inland. The western edge of Aberdeen opens up to Grays Harbor, a large estuary where the Chehalis River meets the Pacific Ocean. This area features tidal flats, salt marshes, and sandy beaches. The coastline to the north and south of Grays Harbor is marked by rugged cliffs and rocky outcroppings, interspersed with small bays and coves.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, there are several factors to consider. The ideal location would have ample open space, relatively flat terrain, and good sun exposure. Given these criteria, the following areas near Aberdeen show potential: The Chehalis River Valley to the southeast of Aberdeen offers some of the best opportunities for large-scale solar PV installations. The wide, flat floodplain provides expansive open areas that could accommodate solar arrays. Many of these areas are currently used for agriculture, but some may be suitable for dual-use solar farming, where solar panels are installed above crops. Some of the cleared areas in the foothills east and northeast of Aberdeen might also be suitable for solar installations. While the terrain is more varied here, there are pockets of relatively flat land that could be utilized. However, care would need to be taken to avoid heavily forested areas to minimize environmental impact. It's important to note that while these areas show potential for solar PV development, the climate of the Pacific Northwest presents challenges. Aberdeen and its surrounding areas experience significant cloud cover and rainfall throughout much of the year, which can reduce the efficiency of solar power generation. Any large-scale solar project in this region would need to carefully consider these factors and potentially incorporate energy storage solutions to maximize effectiveness.

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.