Solar PV Analysis of Medford, Oregon, United States
Medford, Oregon is a fairly good location for generating solar energy year-round. However, the amount of electricity that can be produced varies greatly with each season due to changes in sunlight availability.
In simple terms, a solar panel installed here would produce the most electricity in summer and spring when there are more hours of sunlight and it's generally clearer weather. Specifically, you could expect around 8.07 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 6.78 kWh/day in spring from every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power.
On the other hand, during autumn and winter when days are shorter and often cloudier or rainier, production drops significantly - down to about 3.85 kWh/day in autumn and just 1.97 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar power.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 35 degrees facing southwards.
Now let's talk about potential challenges to producing solar energy here:
Medford is located within a temperate climate zone which means it experiences seasonal variations including periods with less sun exposure like cloudy or rainy days especially during fall and winter seasons which may reduce overall output from your panels.
While we can't control weather conditions directly affecting sunlight availability such as clouds or rainstorms; taking some preventative steps could help increase efficiency: For instance installing tracking systems on your panels so they always face towards the sun throughout the day maximizing their exposure to direct sunlight; also regular cleaning ensures dust or snow doesn't block light reaching them; finally using high-quality durable materials will withstand harsh weather conditions better ensuring longer lifespan for your investment into renewable energy sources like these ones!
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 Medford, Oregon
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.2808, Longitude: -122.9047 (Medford, 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 35° South in Medford, Oregon, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Medford, Oregon, United States (Lat/Long 42.2808, -122.9047) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Medford, 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 Medford, Oregon, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 34° 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 Medford, 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 Medford, 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 Medford, Oregon, United States
Medford, located in the state of Oregon, United States, is situated in the Rogue Valley. The topography around Medford generally includes flat to gently rolling terrain with some hilly regions. The area is surrounded by mountain ranges including the Cascade Range to the east and Siskiyou mountains to the south.
The climate in Medford is characterized by hot summers and mild winters with more sun exposure than other parts of Oregon due to its location inland. This makes it suitable for solar PV installations.
For large scale solar PV projects, areas that are flat or have a slight incline would be most suitable as they allow for easier installation and maintenance while maximizing sunlight exposure. Open spaces without shading from trees or buildings would also be ideal.
Areas such as agricultural lands or industrial zones could potentially accommodate large-scale solar installations if local regulations permit it. It's important to note that any proposed project should undergo a detailed site assessment taking into account factors like local environmental impacts and grid connectivity among others.
In terms of specific nearby locations; White City (an unincorporated community about 9 miles north) has several industrial parks which might be potential sites for large-scale solar PV given their open space availability.
Always remember that any renewable energy project needs careful planning considering all aspects including environmental impact assessments, land use policies etc., so professional consultation is recommended before embarking on such initiatives.
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: Wednesday 5th of June 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
