Stanwood, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 48.2412, -122.3707, presents a variable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production that potential solar adopters should consider.

Solar energy output at this location varies dramatically by season. Summer stands out as the most productive period, generating an impressive 7.11kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.24kWh/day. Production drops considerably in autumn to 2.36kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest output at just 1.29kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

Optimal Installation Angle

For fixed panel installations in Stanwood, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 40 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated specifically for this location to optimize annual solar collection based on the sun's position throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could impact solar production in Stanwood. The Pacific Northwest is known for its cloudy, rainy climate, particularly during fall and winter months, which explains the significantly lower production during these seasons. Stanwood receives considerable precipitation, which can reduce solar efficiency through both cloud cover and direct rainfall on panels.

Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily block panels, further reducing the already limited winter production. Additionally, the area's proximity to Puget Sound may expose installations to salt air, which can gradually impact equipment durability.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production in Stanwood, several preventative measures are recommended. Installing panels with self-cleaning properties or implementing regular cleaning schedules can mitigate rain and pollen buildup. Using snow-shedding mounting systems with adequate tilt helps prevent snow accumulation during winter months.

Selecting marine-grade components and protective coatings will help resist potential salt air corrosion. Additionally, incorporating microinverters or power optimizers can minimize production losses when portions of the array are shaded by the region's abundant trees or occasional cloud cover.

While Stanwood's solar potential is not ideal year-round compared to sunnier regions, proper system design focusing on maximizing summer and spring production can still make solar PV a viable renewable energy option for this Washington location.

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 Stanwood

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.2412, Longitude: -122.3707 (Stanwood, 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 Stanwood, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Stanwood, United States (Lat/Long 48.2412, -122.3707) 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 Stanwood, 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 Stanwood, 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
32° South in Summer	51° 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 Stanwood, 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 Stanwood, 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 Stanwood, United States

The topography around Stanwood, Washington presents a diverse landscape shaped by glacial activity and the Stillaguamish River delta. Located in Snohomish County in the western part of Washington state, Stanwood sits at the edge of a fertile floodplain where the Stillaguamish River meets Port Susan, an arm of Puget Sound.

Landscape Features

Stanwood itself is situated on relatively flat terrain, with an elevation of approximately 20 feet above sea level. The immediate area surrounding the town consists of rich agricultural lowlands that were formed by sediment deposits from the Stillaguamish River over thousands of years. These flat, open farmlands extend primarily to the east and northeast of the town center. To the west of Stanwood lies Port Susan and Camano Island, separated from the mainland by Davis Slough. This coastal area features tidal flats, estuarine wetlands, and some gentle slopes rising toward Camano Island, which has rolling hills and modest elevations reaching about 500 feet at its highest points. Moving east from Stanwood, the terrain gradually transitions from the river delta flatlands to gently rolling hills. Further east, the landscape becomes more varied as it approaches the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range, with elevations increasing substantially and the terrain becoming more forested and rugged. To the north and south, the topography consists of a mix of agricultural flatlands interspersed with low hills, small lakes, and wetland areas. Several creeks and tributaries of the Stillaguamish River create subtle valleys throughout the region.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas near Stanwood offer promising conditions based on topographical considerations: The agricultural flatlands east and northeast of Stanwood present perhaps the most suitable terrain for large-scale solar development. These areas benefit from minimal shading issues due to their flat nature and relatively open exposure. The existing agricultural use means these lands are already cleared, though conversion from productive farmland would need to be carefully considered from an economic and food security perspective. Gently sloping south-facing hillsides located several miles east of Stanwood could also provide favorable conditions for solar arrays. These elevated positions may experience less fog than the lowland areas, potentially increasing solar exposure. The moderate slopes in this transitional zone between flatlands and foothills could be oriented advantageously for solar collection. Some of the higher elevation areas on nearby Camano Island with south-facing aspects might also be suitable for solar development, though these would likely be smaller in scale due to the more limited continuous land area available and greater residential development. Areas to avoid would include the numerous wetlands and riparian corridors throughout the region, as well as steeply sloped terrain further east toward the Cascades. The immediate coastal areas west of Stanwood also present challenges due to potential flooding, salt spray exposure, and environmental sensitivities. It's worth noting that while topography is favorable in many areas around Stanwood for solar development, the Pacific Northwest's climate patterns, including cloud cover and precipitation, present additional considerations beyond just the physical landscape. Local microclimates created by the varied topography can also influence specific site suitability.

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.