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

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive output of 6.87 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.15 kWh/day. However, the colder months show a stark contrast, with autumn producing 2.47 kWh/day and winter dropping to a mere 1.27 kWh/day.

This seasonal variation highlights that Silverdale's solar potential is heavily concentrated in the warmer months. The long summer days and clearer skies contribute to excellent energy production from late spring through early fall. However, the significant drop in output during winter months presents challenges for year-round reliance on solar energy.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Silverdale, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 39 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.

Environmental Considerations

Silverdale's location in the Pacific Northwest presents some challenges for solar energy production. The region is known for its cloudy and rainy weather, particularly during fall and winter months. This can significantly impact solar panel efficiency and explains the lower output during these seasons.

To mitigate these environmental factors, several preventative measures can be taken:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove debris and ensure panels are free from moss or algae growth, which is common in humid climates

Additionally, considering the stark seasonal differences, a hybrid energy system that combines solar with other renewable sources might be advisable for year-round energy security in Silverdale.

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 Silverdale

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.6621, Longitude: -122.6981 (Silverdale, 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 Silverdale, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Silverdale, United States (Lat/Long 47.6621, -122.6981) 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 Silverdale, 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 Silverdale, 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 Silverdale, 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 Silverdale, 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 Silverdale, United States

Silverdale, located in Kitsap County, Washington, is situated on the western shore of the Puget Sound. The topography of the area is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills, forested areas, and coastal lowlands. The terrain gradually rises from sea level at the shoreline to elevations of around 300-400 feet in the surrounding hills. The immediate vicinity of Silverdale features a combination of developed urban and suburban areas interspersed with patches of woodland and small streams. To the west and northwest, the land becomes more rugged and heavily forested as it transitions into the Kitsap Peninsula's interior. The eastern edge of Silverdale is defined by Dyes Inlet, a narrow arm of the Puget Sound, which provides a picturesque coastal setting.

Solar PV Potential in the Region

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, there are a few factors to consider. The ideal locations would have ample open space, minimal shading from trees or structures, and relatively flat terrain to reduce installation costs and maximize sun exposure. Given these criteria, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Silverdale would likely be found in the more open, agricultural lands to the southwest and west of the town. These areas, extending towards Bremerton and Port Orchard, have larger expanses of cleared land that could potentially accommodate solar arrays. However, it's important to note that the Pacific Northwest, including the Silverdale area, experiences significant cloud cover and rainfall throughout much of the year. This climate factor may impact the overall efficiency and economic viability of large-scale solar projects in the region. Additionally, the area's forested nature and hilly terrain in many locations could pose challenges for finding expansive, unshaded areas ideal for solar installations. Any large-scale solar PV project in the region would need to carefully balance the available suitable land with the area's climate conditions and potential environmental impacts. Smaller-scale installations on rooftops or in cleared areas might be more practical given the local topography and land use patterns.

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.