Solar PV Analysis of Spokane, United States
Spokane, Washington is a decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity you can get from solar panels there varies quite a bit between seasons.
In summer, each kilowatt of installed solar power can produce around 7.36 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day. That's pretty good! In spring, it drops to about 5.74 kilowatt-hours per day - still okay but not as great as in summer.
The output decreases significantly during autumn and winter - down to just 3.01 and 1.27 kilowatt-hours per day respectively. This means that while you'll still be able to generate some power during these times, it won't be nearly as much compared to the rest of the year.
For best results with your solar panels in Spokane, they should be tilted at an angle facing south by about 39 degrees which will help maximize how much sunlight they capture throughout the year.
However, there are also some local factors that could potentially reduce your solar energy production in this area:
- Weather: Spokane experiences snowfall in winter which could cover up your panels and block sunlight.
- Air Quality: If there are wildfires nearby (which has been increasingly common), smoke particles could obstruct sunlight too.
To prevent these issues from affecting your energy production too much:
- Regular Maintenance: Keep on top of cleaning and maintenance tasks for your panels – especially after heavy snowfall or ash fallout from wildfires.
- Positioning Panels: Consider installing them where they're less likely to get covered by snow or shaded by trees/buildings etc.
Despite these challenges though, with careful planning and regular upkeep you can definitely make use of solar power effectively in Spokane!
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 Spokane
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.7345, Longitude: -117.447 (Spokane, 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 Spokane, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Spokane, United States (Lat/Long 47.7345, -117.447) 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 Spokane, 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 Spokane, 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 Spokane, 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 Spokane, 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 Spokane, United States
Spokane, located in the state of Washington, United States, is situated in a region with diverse topography. The city lies along the Spokane River and is surrounded by various landscapes such as forests, mountains, plains and lakes. To the east of Spokane are the Rocky Mountains while to its west lies the Columbia Plateau.
The land around Spokane is relatively flat or gently sloping which could make it suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. However, considering that this area can be quite cloudy and receives less sunlight compared to other parts of the U.S., it may not be optimal for solar power generation.
Areas southwards towards Tri-Cities (Kennewick-Pasco-Richland), which lie within the rain shadow of Cascade Range and receive more sunshine annually would potentially be more suited for large-scale solar PV installations.
It's also worth noting that any specific site selection would need to take into account factors like local zoning laws, accessibility to transmission lines or grids and potential environmental impacts among others.
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: Friday 19th 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.
