Solar PV Analysis of Sherwood, Oregon, United States
The location of Sherwood, Oregon in the United States is decent for solar energy production throughout the year, but it's not perfect. Here's why:
During summer and spring, there's a pretty good amount of sunlight to generate electricity from solar panels. You can expect around 7.15 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.52 kWh/day in spring for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power capacity.
However, during autumn and winter, the sunlight availability decreases significantly due to shorter daylight hours and more cloudy days. In autumn, you're looking at about 2.96 kWh/day per kW of installed solar power capacity while winter offers only about 1.42 kWh/day per kW.
This means that if you're planning on relying solely on solar energy for your electricity needs all year round in Sherwood Oregon, you might need extra storage or an alternative source during autumn and winter months.
As for setting up your panels correctly - they should ideally be tilted at an angle of about 37 degrees facing south to capture as much sunlight as possible throughout the year.
But before going ahead with installation there are some other local factors that can affect how well your system works:
1) Weather conditions: Frequent rain or snowfall can reduce the amount of sunshine reaching your panels thus reducing their output.
2) Dust & Debris: These could accumulate on your panel surface blocking out light.
3) Shading: Nearby trees or buildings may cast shadows over your panels especially during morning or late afternoon times when sun is low in sky.
To ensure maximum efficiency despite these challenges:
- Regularly clean off any dust/debris from panel surfaces.
- Trim back any tree branches that may cause shading issues.
- Consider installing a snow guard if heavy snowfall is common; this prevents accumulation which would otherwise block sunlight.
- Lastly consider investing into a backup generator or battery storage to use during those less sunny months.
So, while Sherwood, Oregon is not the most ideal location for solar energy production due to its seasonal variations in sunlight and potential weather challenges, with proper setup and maintenance it can still be a viable source of renewable energy.
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 Sherwood, Oregon
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 45.35, Longitude: -122.8559 (Sherwood, 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 Sherwood, Oregon, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sherwood, Oregon, United States (Lat/Long 45.35, -122.8559) 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 Sherwood, 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 Sherwood, 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 | 60° South in Winter | 38° 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 Sherwood, 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 Sherwood, 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 Sherwood, Oregon, United States
Sherwood, United States is located in the state of Oregon. The topography around Sherwood is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain with forests and farmland. The region has a temperate climate, receiving ample rainfall throughout the year.
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, flat or gently sloping areas are usually most suitable as they require less work for installation and can accommodate more panels. Therefore, the flatter farmlands around Sherwood may provide suitable locations for such installations.
However, it's important to note that while Oregon gets plenty of sunlight during summer months, its winters are often overcast which could affect the efficiency of solar PV systems. This doesn't necessarily rule out solar power but it does mean that you'd need to consider how seasonal variations might impact overall energy production.
In addition to physical topography and climate considerations, other factors such as local zoning regulations and proximity to existing power grids would also play an important role in determining suitability for large-scale solar PV projects. It would be best to consult with local authorities or a renewable energy consultant for detailed feasibility studies.
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 11th of July 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.
