Solar PV Analysis of Snohomish, United States
Snohomish, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed landscape for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar power production varies significantly across seasons, reflecting the region's characteristic climate patterns.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy production in Snohomish, with an impressive daily output of 6.91 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. This high yield can be attributed to long daylight hours and generally clearer skies during the summer months.
Spring follows as the second-most productive season, generating 5.21 kWh per day for each kW installed. This season benefits from increasing daylight hours and improving weather conditions as winter recedes.
Autumn sees a significant drop in solar production, with daily output falling to 2.54 kWh per kW. This decline is due to shorter days and increased cloud cover typical of the Pacific Northwest fall.
Winter presents the greatest challenge for solar energy generation in Snohomish, with production plummeting to just 1.33 kWh per day per kW installed. The combination of short days, low sun angle, and frequent overcast conditions contributes to this minimal output.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed panel installations in Snohomish, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 40 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated to optimize exposure to the sun's rays throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal variations in sun position.
Environmental Factors and Mitigation
The primary environmental factor impacting solar production in Snohomish is the region's notorious cloudy and rainy weather, particularly during fall and winter months. To mitigate this:
- Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions
- Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove debris and maximize panel efficiency
Additionally, Snohomish's location near forested areas may lead to shading issues. To address this, careful site selection and potentially tree trimming may be necessary to ensure optimal sun exposure for the panels.
Despite these challenges, the strong performance during spring and summer months makes solar energy a viable option for Snohomish residents, especially when combined with appropriate energy storage solutions to balance the seasonal variations in production.
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 Snohomish
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.8581, Longitude: -122.0872 (Snohomish, 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 40° South in Snohomish, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Snohomish, United States (Lat/Long 47.8581, -122.0872) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 40° 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 Snohomish, 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 Snohomish, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 40° 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 Snohomish, 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 Snohomish, 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 Snohomish, United States
The topography around Snohomish, Washington, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills, river valleys, and lowland areas. Snohomish itself is situated in the Snohomish River valley, which is relatively flat and low-lying. As you move away from the river, the terrain gradually becomes more hilly and varied.
To the west of Snohomish, the land rises slightly as it approaches the Puget Sound lowlands. This area features a combination of small hills and plateaus, interspersed with numerous streams and wetlands. To the east, the landscape becomes more dramatic as it transitions into the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Here, you'll find steeper hills, deeper valleys, and more rugged terrain.
The north and south of Snohomish are characterized by a continuation of the river valley, with gently undulating farmland and scattered forested areas. Throughout the region, there are numerous small lakes and ponds, adding to the diverse topographical features.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, there are a few factors to keep in mind. Ideal locations for solar farms typically have flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from trees or other obstacles. With these criteria in mind, some potentially suitable areas might include:
- The open farmland to the north and south of Snohomish, particularly areas that are currently used for agriculture but may be less productive. These locations often have the advantage of being relatively flat and clear of obstructions.
- Some of the more gently sloping hillsides to the east of Snohomish, especially those facing south or southwest. These areas may receive more direct sunlight throughout the day due to their orientation.
- Cleared areas on the plateaus to the west of Snohomish, where there is less forest cover and potentially good sun exposure.
However, it's important to note that the Pacific Northwest, including the Snohomish area, is known for its frequent cloud cover and rainfall, which can impact the efficiency of solar installations. Additionally, any large-scale solar project would need to consider local zoning laws, environmental regulations, and the impact on the surrounding community and ecosystem.
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: Sunday 11th of August 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.
