Troutdale, Oregon, located in the United States, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar energy generation via photovoltaic (PV) panels. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which impacts its overall suitability for solar power.

Seasonal Solar Energy Production

The solar energy output in Troutdale varies dramatically across the seasons. Summer is the most productive period, with an average daily output of 7.15 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, generating 5.52 kWh/day. Autumn sees a significant drop to 2.96 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at just 1.42 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Troutdale is most ideal for solar energy production during the longer, sunnier days of summer and spring. The substantial decrease in output during autumn and winter suggests that alternative energy sources or energy storage solutions may be necessary to supplement power needs during these less productive months.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Troutdale, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 38 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several environmental and weather factors in Troutdale can potentially impact solar energy production:

1. Cloud cover: The Pacific Northwest is known for its cloudy weather, particularly during fall and winter months, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency.
2. Rain: Troutdale experiences frequent rainfall, especially from October to May, which can further diminish solar energy capture.

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris that may accumulate due to frequent rain.
• Consider incorporating micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.

While Troutdale's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper system design and maintenance can help maximize energy output, particularly during the more favorable 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 3041 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 Troutdale

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 45.5352, Longitude: -122.3726 (Troutdale, 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 38° South in Troutdale, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Troutdale, United States (Lat/Long 45.5352, -122.3726) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 38° 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 Troutdale, 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 Troutdale, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 38° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
29° South in Summer	48° South in Autumn	60° South in Winter	38° 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 Troutdale, 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 Troutdale, 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 Troutdale, United States

The topography around Troutdale, United States, located at latitude 45.5352 and longitude -122.3726, is characterized by a diverse and scenic landscape. Situated at the confluence of the Sandy and Columbia Rivers, Troutdale is nestled in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range. The area features a mix of rolling hills, river valleys, and forested areas, creating a picturesque setting for this small city in Oregon. To the west of Troutdale, the land gradually slopes down towards the Portland metropolitan area, with gentle hills and plateaus dominating the landscape. The Columbia River Gorge, a dramatic canyon carved by the Columbia River, lies to the east, offering stunning vistas and steep cliffs. South of Troutdale, the terrain becomes more rugged as it transitions into the Mount Hood National Forest, with increasing elevation and denser forest cover.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, minimal shading from surrounding hills or forests, and good access to existing infrastructure. The areas to the west and northwest of Troutdale, extending towards Gresham and the eastern outskirts of Portland, offer some potential for solar PV development. These areas have more open, less forested land with gentler slopes, which could accommodate larger solar arrays. Additionally, the proximity to urban centers means better access to existing electrical infrastructure for connecting to the grid. Some of the agricultural lands in the vicinity, particularly those with south-facing slopes, could also be suitable for solar PV installations. These areas often have the advantage of being already cleared and having minimal obstructions to sunlight. However, it's important to note that the region's climate, characterized by frequent cloud cover and rain, especially during winter months, may impact the overall efficiency of solar energy production. Additionally, environmental considerations, such as preserving scenic views and protecting sensitive ecosystems, would need to be carefully balanced with any large-scale solar development in this picturesque area.

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.