Dallas, Oregon, United States is a location with moderate potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production, with significant differences between summer and winter output.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Dallas, Oregon produce their highest output during summer months, generating approximately 7.42kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.79kWh/day per kW installed. Energy production drops considerably during autumn to 3.17kWh/day, and reaches its lowest point in winter with only 1.51kWh/day per kW of installed capacity.

This seasonal pattern means that a solar PV system in Dallas will produce nearly five times more electricity in summer than in winter, creating a substantial seasonal imbalance in energy generation. The combined spring and summer seasons (approximately March through August) represent the ideal period for solar energy production at this location, accounting for the majority of annual energy generation.

Optimal Installation Angle

For fixed panel installations in Dallas, Oregon, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 37 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to optimize the total annual energy harvest, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and seasonal variations in sun position.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors may impact solar production at this location:

• Pacific Northwest cloud cover and rainfall, particularly prominent during fall and winter months, contributes to the low winter production figures
• Potential wildfire smoke during late summer and early fall can temporarily reduce solar efficiency
• Occasional snow accumulation in winter can block panels if not properly installed
• Morning fog, common in the Willamette Valley region, may delay peak production during certain times of year

Mitigation Strategies

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, consider these preventative measures:

• Install panels at the recommended 37-degree tilt to optimize year-round production
• Consider adjustable mounting systems that allow for seasonal tilt adjustments (steeper in winter, flatter in summer)
• Implement automated cleaning systems or regular maintenance to remove wildfire ash deposits
• Install panels high enough to avoid snow accumulation interference
• Consider micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize production losses when some panels are partially shaded

While Dallas, Oregon doesn't offer the ideal solar conditions found in the American Southwest, proper system design accounting for seasonal variations and environmental factors can still yield significant renewable energy production, particularly during the longer, clearer days of spring and summer.

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 Dallas, Oregon

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.9241, Longitude: -123.3248 (Dallas, 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 Dallas, Oregon, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dallas, Oregon, United States (Lat/Long 44.9241, -123.3248) 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 Dallas, 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 Dallas, 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
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 Dallas, 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 Dallas, Oregon, 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 Dallas, Oregon, United States

The landscape around Dallas, Oregon, situated at approximately 44.9241° N, 123.3248° W, features a diverse topography characteristic of the Willamette Valley's western edge. Dallas lies in Polk County, nestled between the Coast Range to the west and the broader Willamette Valley to the east. This positioning creates a transitional zone where the relatively flat valley floor begins to give way to more undulating terrain and eventually the foothills of the Coast Range. The immediate vicinity of Dallas consists of gently rolling hills with elevations ranging from about 100 to 400 feet above sea level. Moving eastward, the terrain becomes flatter as it extends into the heart of the Willamette Valley, one of Oregon's most fertile agricultural regions. To the west, the landscape becomes progressively more rugged as it rises toward the Coast Range, with elevations increasing to several thousand feet. Several waterways influence the local topography, including Rickreall Creek which flows through Dallas itself, eventually joining the Willamette River system. These water features have, over time, carved subtle valleys and drainages throughout the area, creating natural contours in the landscape.

Solar PV Suitability in the Region

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the most suitable areas near Dallas would be found in the flatter portions of the Willamette Valley to the east and southeast. These areas offer several advantages for solar development: The valley floor provides extensive tracts of relatively level terrain, which significantly reduces site preparation costs for large solar arrays. These flat areas typically require minimal grading, making construction more straightforward and economical. Many parts of the eastern Willamette Valley feature agricultural land that might be suitable for dual-use solar installations or conversion to solar farms. These areas generally have fewer trees and natural obstacles that might cast shadows on solar panels. The valley's orientation allows for good solar exposure throughout much of the day, particularly on south-facing gentle slopes which can optimize the angle of solar collection. Areas to avoid would include the more densely forested western regions as they extend into the Coast Range foothills. These locations present challenges including steeper slopes, more variable terrain, extensive tree cover creating shading issues, and potentially more complex environmental considerations. The areas around Salem and Independence, both within reasonable proximity to Dallas, offer particularly promising conditions for large-scale solar development due to their combination of flat terrain, existing infrastructure access, and proximity to transmission lines—a critical factor for connecting new solar generation to the electrical grid. However, it's worth noting that the region's occasional fog and cloud cover, particularly during winter months, would need to be factored into any solar project planning, even in the most topographically suitable locations.

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.