Turner, Oregon, located in the United States, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of solar PV systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Turner, with an impressive daily output of 7.53 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.84 kWh/day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn and winter, with outputs of 3.14 kWh/day and 1.45 kWh/day respectively.

This stark contrast between seasons suggests that while solar energy can be highly effective during the warmer months, supplementary energy sources may be necessary during the colder, darker periods of the year.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar production in Turner, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 37-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and the sun's position throughout the year, ensuring the best possible energy capture across all seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Turner's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Cloud cover: The Pacific Northwest is known for its cloudy weather, particularly during autumn and winter. This can significantly reduce solar output during these seasons.
• Rain and moisture: Frequent rainfall in the region can lead to dirt accumulation on panels, potentially reducing efficiency.

To mitigate these issues, regular panel cleaning and maintenance should be scheduled, especially before and after the rainy season. Additionally, investing in high-quality, weather-resistant panels can help ensure optimal performance in varying conditions.

Conclusion

Overall, Turner, Oregon offers good potential for solar energy generation, particularly during spring and summer. However, the significant drop in output during autumn and winter means that solar PV systems in this location may need to be complemented with other energy sources or storage solutions to maintain consistent energy supply throughout the year.

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 Turner

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.8499, Longitude: -122.9462 (Turner, 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 Turner, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Turner, United States (Lat/Long 44.8499, -122.9462) 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 Turner, 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 Turner, 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	48° 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 Turner, 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 Turner, 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 Turner, United States

The area around Turner, Oregon in the United States features a diverse topography typical of the Willamette Valley region. Located in Marion County, Turner sits in a transitional zone between the flat valley floor to the east and the foothills of the Cascade Range to the west. The landscape is characterized by gently rolling hills, shallow valleys, and scattered woodlands interspersed with agricultural fields and pastures. To the east of Turner, the terrain gradually flattens out into the broad Willamette Valley, with its rich alluvial soils ideal for farming. This area is predominantly level, with only slight undulations in the landscape. Numerous small streams and creeks crisscross the valley floor, eventually feeding into the Willamette River further east. Heading west from Turner, the land becomes more varied and hilly as it approaches the Cascade foothills. These areas feature more pronounced elevation changes, with steeper slopes and deeper valleys carved by fast-flowing streams. The hills are often covered in mixed coniferous and deciduous forests, creating a patchwork of green when viewed from above.

Solar PV Potential

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, the flat, open spaces of the Willamette Valley east of Turner present the best opportunities. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy production: Firstly, the relatively level terrain requires minimal site preparation, reducing construction costs and environmental impact. The lack of significant hills or mountains also means fewer obstacles that could cast shadows on solar panels, maximizing potential sunlight exposure throughout the day. Secondly, much of this land is already used for agriculture, which could potentially allow for dual-use solar installations that combine energy production with farming activities. This approach, known as agrivoltaics, is gaining popularity as a way to maximize land use efficiency. However, it's important to note that the Willamette Valley experiences a significant amount of cloud cover and rainfall, particularly during the winter months. This could impact the overall efficiency of solar installations compared to sunnier regions. Despite this limitation, advances in solar technology have made PV systems increasingly viable even in areas with less-than-ideal solar resources. Any large-scale solar development would need to carefully balance the region's agricultural importance with renewable energy goals. Proper site selection, environmental impact assessments, and community engagement would be crucial steps in implementing such projects in the Turner 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.