Solar PV Analysis of Colton, Oregon, United States
Colton, Oregon, in the United States is a somewhat suitable location for year-round energy generation via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This means that you can use solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity at this location.
During different seasons, the amount of electricity you can produce varies. In summer and spring, when days are longer and sunnier, you can expect more energy output: about 7.15 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and 5.52 kilowatt-hours per day in spring for each kilowatt of installed solar power capacity.
However, during autumn and winter when days are shorter with less sunlight available due to cloud cover or shorter daylight hours, your solar panels will generate less electricity: about 2.96 kilowatt-hours per day in autumn and only 1.42 kilowatt-hours per day in winter for each kilowatt of installed solar power capacity.
To get the most out of your solar PV system throughout the year at this location, it's recommended to tilt your fixed panel installation towards south by an angle of 37 degrees. This angle helps capture maximum sunlight over the course of a year as it takes into account how high or low the sun appears in sky across different seasons.
As for potential impediments to producing solar energy at this location; Colton is located within a temperate rainforest zone which means that there could be significant periods of cloud cover especially during fall and winter months reducing overall production from your panels compared to sunnier locations elsewhere.
In addition some local factors such as tall trees or buildings could potentially shade your panels reducing their efficiency even on sunny days so these factors should be taken into account when choosing where exactly on your property to install them - ideally they should have unobstructed access to direct sunlight from morning till evening throughout entire year if possible.
Furthermore snowfall during winter months might also temporarily reduce production if snow covers up your panels. To mitigate this, you can install a snow guard to prevent accumulation on the panels or regularly clean them off during snowy periods.
In conclusion, while Colton, Oregon may not be the most ideal location for solar energy production due to its weather patterns and potential shading issues, with careful planning and maintenance it's still possible to generate a significant amount of electricity from solar PV systems at this location year-round.
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 Colton, Oregon
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 45.1592, Longitude: -122.4226 (Colton, 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 Colton, Oregon, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Colton, Oregon, United States (Lat/Long 45.1592, -122.4226) 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 Colton, 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 Colton, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29° 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 Colton, 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 Colton, 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 Colton, Oregon, United States
Colton, United States is located in the state of Oregon. The topography around Colton is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrains, with areas of forests and farmland. It's part of the Pacific Northwest region which is known for its diverse landscapes including mountains, rivers, valleys and plateaus.
The area around Colton experiences a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year which might affect the efficiency of solar PV systems. However, there are still many days with clear or partly cloudy skies that can provide ample sunlight for solar energy generation.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat open spaces are generally preferred as they allow for easier installation and maintenance while maximizing exposure to sunlight. Areas with less tree cover would also be more suitable to avoid shading issues.
Considering these factors, nearby farmlands could potentially be suited for large-scale solar PV installations given their relatively flat terrain and open space. Additionally, any unused or underutilized industrial lands could also be potential sites due to their developed infrastructure.
However, it's important to note that actual suitability would depend on several other factors such as local zoning regulations, land ownership status and specific site conditions (like soil type). A detailed feasibility study would need to be conducted before selecting a site for large-scale solar PV installation.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 20th of June 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.
