Solar PV Analysis of Woodinville, United States
Woodinville, Washington, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed scenario for year-round solar energy generation via photovoltaic (PV) systems. The location's seasonal variations in solar output highlight both opportunities and challenges for solar power production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Woodinville varies significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 6.91 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, yielding 5.21 kWh/day/kW. However, autumn and winter see a substantial drop in output, with 2.54 kWh/day/kW and 1.33 kWh/day/kW respectively.
This seasonal pattern indicates that solar energy systems in Woodinville will be most effective from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and typically clearer skies contribute to higher energy production. Conversely, the shorter days and increased cloud cover of autumn and winter significantly reduce solar output.
Optimizing Solar Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Woodinville, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 39 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps balance energy capture across seasons, improving overall annual performance.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several factors in Woodinville can impact solar energy production:
- Cloud cover: The Pacific Northwest is known for its frequent overcast conditions, particularly in fall and winter. This can significantly reduce solar output during these seasons.
- Rainfall: Woodinville experiences considerable rainfall, which can temporarily decrease panel efficiency.
- Tree cover: The area's lush vegetation may cast shadows on solar panels, reducing their effectiveness.
To mitigate these challenges, consider the following measures when installing solar PV systems in Woodinville:
- Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions
- Implement careful site planning to minimize shading from trees and nearby structures
- Install panels with a slightly steeper tilt to promote self-cleaning and improve performance during rainy periods
- Consider adding a solar tracking system to maximize energy capture throughout the day
While Woodinville's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper system design and installation can still yield significant benefits, especially during the more favorable spring and summer 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 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 Woodinville
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.7678, Longitude: -122.1187 (Woodinville, 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 39° South in Woodinville, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Woodinville, United States (Lat/Long 47.7678, -122.1187) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Woodinville, 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 Woodinville, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° 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 | 50° South in Autumn | 62° 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 Woodinville, 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 Woodinville, 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 Woodinville, United States
The topography around Woodinville, Washington, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills, valleys, and flat areas. Woodinville itself sits in the Sammamish River Valley, which is relatively flat and surrounded by higher terrain. To the east, the land rises into the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, creating a more rugged and varied landscape. To the west, the terrain gradually slopes down towards the shores of Puget Sound.
The area features a blend of forested hills, open meadows, and agricultural lands. Many of the hillsides are covered with evergreen trees, typical of the Pacific Northwest. The Sammamish River meanders through the valley, creating a natural corridor and some wetland areas. Small streams and creeks also crisscross the landscape, carving shallow ravines in places.
As for areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the options are somewhat limited due to the region's topography and land use. However, there are a few possibilities to consider:
1. The flatter areas of the Sammamish Valley, particularly those currently used for agriculture, could potentially be repurposed for solar farms. These areas receive less shading from hills and trees, making them more suitable for solar energy production.
2. Some of the more open, south-facing hillsides in the region might be appropriate for solar installations. These slopes could provide a good angle for solar panels to capture sunlight throughout the day.
3. Former industrial or commercial sites in the broader Seattle metropolitan area might offer opportunities for large-scale solar projects. These could include unused parking lots, retired landfills, or other brownfield sites that are relatively flat and free from obstructions.
It's important to note that the Pacific Northwest, including the Woodinville area, is known for its frequent cloud cover and rainfall, which can impact the efficiency of solar energy production. Any large-scale solar PV project in this region would need to carefully consider these climatic factors in addition to the topographical constraints.
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: Saturday 5th of October 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.
