Solar PV Analysis of Albany, Oregon, United States
Albany, Oregon, located in the United States, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar energy generation via photovoltaic (PV) systems. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy output at Albany varies considerably throughout the year. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 7.45 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.84 kWh/day/kW. However, the output drops significantly in autumn to 3.23 kWh/day/kW, and winter sees the lowest production at just 1.57 kWh/day/kW.
These figures indicate that Albany's location is highly favorable for solar energy production during the warmer months but faces challenges during the colder seasons, particularly in winter.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Albany, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 37 degrees facing south. This optimal angle has been calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Albany's climate presents some challenges for solar energy production. The region experiences significant rainfall, particularly during the winter months, which can reduce solar efficiency. Additionally, the area is prone to overcast conditions, especially from late fall through early spring, further impacting solar generation.
To mitigate these factors, several preventative measures can be taken:
- Install high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions
- Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
- Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove debris and ensure optimal panel performance
Despite these challenges, Albany's location still offers substantial potential for solar energy production, particularly during the spring and summer months. With proper system design and maintenance, solar PV can be a viable and effective renewable energy option for this area.
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 3023 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 Albany, Oregon
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.6279, Longitude: -123.0592 (Albany, Oregon, 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 37° South in Albany, Oregon, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Albany, Oregon, United States (Lat/Long 44.6279, -123.0592) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Albany, Oregon, 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 Albany, Oregon, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28° South in Summer | 47° South in Autumn | 59° South in Winter | 37° 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 Albany, Oregon, 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 Albany, Oregon, 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 Albany, Oregon, United States
The topography around Albany, Oregon, in the United States is characterized by a mix of flat valley floors and gently rolling hills. Albany itself is situated in the Willamette Valley, a broad, flat plain that stretches north to south between the Oregon Coast Range to the west and the Cascade Range to the east. The city and its immediate surroundings are predominantly level, with an average elevation of about 210 feet (64 meters) above sea level.
As you move away from the city center, the landscape gradually becomes more varied. To the east, the terrain begins to rise as it approaches the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. These areas feature more pronounced hills and valleys, with elevations increasing steadily. To the west, the land remains relatively flat for several miles before starting to climb towards the Coast Range.
The Willamette River flows through the eastern part of Albany, creating a natural boundary and adding to the area's topographical diversity. The river valley itself is quite flat, with occasional gentle slopes leading down to the water's edge.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat, open spaces of the Willamette Valley offer the most promise. These areas typically have good sun exposure and minimal shading from geographical features. The agricultural lands surrounding Albany, particularly to the north and south, could be potential candidates for solar farms.
However, it's important to note that the Willamette Valley can experience significant cloud cover and rainfall, especially during the winter months. This could impact the overall efficiency of solar installations. The slightly elevated areas to the east of Albany, where the land begins to rise towards the Cascades, might offer better solar potential. These locations could benefit from slightly clearer skies and less fog than the valley floor.
When considering large-scale solar PV projects, factors beyond just topography must be taken into account. These include proximity to existing power infrastructure, local zoning laws, and the agricultural value of the land. The most suitable areas would balance favorable topography with these other crucial considerations.
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 26th of September 2024
Last Updated: Thursday 26th of September 2024
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
