Solar PV Analysis of Sumner, United States
Sumner, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed opportunity for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which impacts the overall efficiency of solar PV systems.
Seasonal Solar Production
Solar energy output at this location varies dramatically across the seasons:
- Summer: 6.91 kWh/day per kW installed
- Spring: 5.21 kWh/day per kW installed
- Autumn: 2.54 kWh/day per kW installed
- Winter: 1.33 kWh/day per kW installed
Optimal Panel Placement
For fixed panel installations in Sumner, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 39 degrees facing south. This angle helps balance the varying sun positions throughout the year, optimizing energy capture across all seasons.
Environmental Factors
The Pacific Northwest, including Sumner, is known for its cloudy and rainy weather, particularly during fall and winter months. This can significantly impact solar production, as evidenced by the low winter output. To mitigate this, consider using high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions.
Another factor to consider is potential shading from nearby trees or buildings. Sumner's location in a forested region means careful site selection and potentially some tree trimming may be necessary to maximize sun exposure.
Preventative Measures
To enhance solar production in Sumner: 1. Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading. 2. Implement a regular cleaning schedule, especially during pollen season in spring and after autumn leaf fall. 3. Consider a ground-mounted system if roof orientation is not ideal, allowing for optimal positioning.
While Sumner's location presents challenges for year-round solar production, with proper planning and system design, solar PV can still be a viable renewable energy option, particularly during the more productive summer and spring months.
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 Sumner
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.209, Longitude: -122.2336 (Sumner, 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 Sumner, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sumner, United States (Lat/Long 47.209, -122.2336) 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 Sumner, 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 Sumner, 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 | 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 Sumner, 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 Sumner, 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 Sumner, United States
The area around Sumner, Washington, located at approximately 47.209° North latitude and 122.2336° West longitude, is characterized by diverse topography typical of the Pacific Northwest region. Sumner itself sits in the Puyallup River Valley, which is a relatively flat area surrounded by gently rolling hills and more dramatic elevation changes in the distance.
To the west of Sumner, the land gradually slopes down towards the Puget Sound, with occasional hills and ridges interrupting the landscape. The eastern side of Sumner sees a more pronounced increase in elevation as it approaches the foothills of the Cascade Mountain range. These foothills become progressively steeper and more rugged as you move further east.
The immediate vicinity of Sumner features a mix of urban development, agricultural land, and scattered forested areas. The Puyallup River meanders through the valley, creating a natural boundary and influencing the local topography with its floodplain.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would be relatively flat, open areas with minimal shading from trees or buildings, and good sun exposure throughout the day. Given these criteria, the following areas near Sumner might be suitable:
- The agricultural lands in the Puyallup River Valley, particularly those to the east and southeast of Sumner, could be potential candidates. These areas are generally flat and open, with fewer obstructions to sunlight.
- Some of the gentler slopes on the hills surrounding the valley might also be suitable, especially those facing south or southwest, as they would receive more direct sunlight throughout the day.
- Former industrial or commercial sites on the outskirts of urban areas, if available, could be repurposed for solar installations, provided they offer sufficient open space and sun exposure.
However, it's important to note that the Pacific Northwest, including the Sumner area, experiences significant cloud cover and rainfall throughout much of the year. This climate factor could impact the overall efficiency and viability of large-scale solar PV projects in the region. Additionally, any potential sites would need to be evaluated for their proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, environmental impact, and local zoning regulations before being considered for solar development.
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: Thursday 1st 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.
