Solar PV Analysis of Washburn, United States
The location of Washburn, North Dakota, in the United States, presents both opportunities and challenges for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone at latitude 47.3142 and longitude -101.0132, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.
Seasonal Solar Output
Solar energy generation at this location is most effective during the summer months, with an impressive output of 6.69 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, yielding 5.43 kWh/day. However, autumn sees a considerable drop to 3.28 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at just 1.92 kWh/day.
These figures highlight the stark contrast between summer and winter production, with summer generating nearly 3.5 times more energy than winter. This disparity is primarily due to the location's northern latitude, which results in shorter days and lower sun angles during the winter months.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Washburn, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 41 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps balance energy capture across seasons, compensating for the sun's varying position throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several factors can impact solar energy production in this location:
- Snow accumulation: Washburn's winters can bring significant snowfall, potentially covering solar panels and reducing efficiency.
- Cold temperatures: While cold can actually improve solar panel efficiency, extreme cold may affect other system components.
- Cloud cover: The region experiences partly cloudy conditions, which can intermittently reduce solar output.
Mitigation Strategies
To address these challenges and enhance solar energy production, consider the following measures:
- Install panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off
- Use snow-shedding coatings on panels
- Implement a regular panel cleaning schedule
- Choose cold-resistant inverters and other system components
- Consider a dual-axis tracking system to maximize sun exposure
While Washburn's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, particularly in winter, proper system design and maintenance can still make solar PV a viable and beneficial 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 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 Washburn
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.3142, Longitude: -101.0132 (Washburn, 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 41° South in Washburn, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Washburn, United States (Lat/Long 47.3142, -101.0132) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 41° 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 Washburn, 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 Washburn, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 41° 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 | 51° South in Autumn | 61° South in Winter | 40° 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 Washburn, 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 Washburn, 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 Washburn, United States
The area around Washburn, North Dakota, is characterized by gently rolling plains typical of the Great Plains region. Located along the Missouri River, Washburn sits in a landscape that has been shaped by glacial activity and erosion over thousands of years. The terrain is generally flat to moderately hilly, with occasional bluffs and buttes rising above the surrounding prairie.
The Missouri River valley, which runs near Washburn, creates some variation in the topography. The river has carved a wide, shallow valley through the region, with some steeper banks and terraces along its course. Away from the river, the land gradually rises into vast expanses of open prairie, dotted with small hills and shallow depressions.
The elevation in and around Washburn ranges from about 1,600 to 1,900 feet above sea level, with only modest changes in elevation across the landscape. This relatively uniform terrain is punctuated by scattered coulees (dry ravines) and small streams that feed into the Missouri River.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, the region around Washburn offers several promising locations. The most suitable areas would be found on the open prairie lands away from the Missouri River valley. These locations typically feature:
- Large, flat or gently sloping expanses of land
- Minimal shading from trees or geographical features
- Good access to existing roads and power infrastructure
- Areas not prone to flooding or erosion
Specifically, the plains to the north and east of Washburn would likely be well-suited for solar PV development. These areas offer vast, uninterrupted stretches of land with favorable topography for solar panel installation. The slightly elevated terrain in these directions also helps to minimize the risk of flooding and maximize sun exposure.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would require detailed site-specific assessments, including soil stability studies, environmental impact evaluations, and considerations of local land use regulations. Additionally, while the topography is generally suitable, factors such as wind patterns, seasonal weather variations, and proximity to power transmission infrastructure would also play crucial roles in determining the most optimal locations for solar PV installations in the Washburn 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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 4th of September 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.
