Solar PV Analysis of Monmouth, Oregon, United States
Monmouth, Oregon, United States is a location with significant seasonal variation in solar energy production potential. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences distinct differences in solar photovoltaic (PV) output throughout the year.
Seasonal Solar Production
The solar energy generation at Monmouth follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with panels generating an impressive 7.42 kWh per day for each kilowatt installed. Spring follows as the second most productive season, yielding 5.79 kWh daily per installed kilowatt. Production drops considerably in autumn to 3.17 kWh per day, while winter sees the lowest output at just 1.51 kWh daily per kilowatt of installed capacity.
This nearly five-fold difference between summer and winter production highlights the significant seasonal variability at this location. The most ideal periods for solar generation are clearly the summer months followed by spring, when longer days and higher sun angles maximize energy capture.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed solar panel installations in Monmouth, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 37 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize annual solar collection based on Monmouth's geographical position and seasonal solar patterns.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several factors could potentially impact solar production in Monmouth:
- Pacific Northwest cloud cover and rainfall, particularly pronounced during winter months, contribute significantly to the low winter production figures
- Morning fog, common in the Willamette Valley where Monmouth is located, can delay morning solar production
- Potential wildfire smoke during late summer months can temporarily reduce solar efficiency
- Occasional snow in winter months may cover panels and further reduce the already limited winter production
Preventative Measures
To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several installation strategies can be employed:
- Installing panels with the recommended 37-degree tilt to optimize year-round collection
- Implementing automated cleaning systems to remove snow accumulation in winter
- Using high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions prevalent during cloudy winter days
- Considering micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize production losses when parts of the array are shaded
- Installing a slightly oversized system to compensate for the significant winter production decrease
While Monmouth's location isn't ideal for consistent year-round solar production due to its significant seasonal variation, proper system design can still make solar PV a viable energy option, especially when taking advantage of the highly productive summer and spring 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 Monmouth, Oregon
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.8484, Longitude: -123.234 (Monmouth, 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 Monmouth, Oregon, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Monmouth, Oregon, United States (Lat/Long 44.8484, -123.234) 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 Monmouth, 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 Monmouth, 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 | 47° 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 Monmouth, 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 Monmouth, 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 Monmouth, Oregon, United States
Monmouth, Oregon is nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, characterized by gently rolling terrain that transitions between flat valley floors and modest hills. The city sits at an elevation of approximately 200 feet (61 meters) above sea level, with the surrounding landscape showing moderate topographical variation. To the west, the Coast Range mountains begin to rise, while the more distant Cascade Range defines the eastern horizon.
The immediate vicinity of Monmouth features predominantly agricultural lands with open fields, scattered woodlands, and riparian corridors along waterways such as the Willamette River, which flows several miles to the east. The terrain is generally mild with gradual slopes throughout much of the area, having been shaped by ancient glacial and fluvial processes that created the broad, fertile valley.
Solar PV Potential Areas
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar photovoltaic development near Monmouth would be the extensive agricultural flatlands that dominate the Willamette Valley floor. These areas offer several advantages: minimal shading from topographical features, relatively level ground that reduces construction costs, and existing access roads from agricultural operations.
South-facing gentle slopes in the surrounding low hills provide particularly favorable conditions for solar collection, as they naturally orient toward the sun's path. These areas often experience less fog accumulation than the valley floor during winter months, potentially increasing overall annual production.
Areas to avoid would include the riparian zones along streams and rivers, north-facing slopes which receive less direct sunlight, and any locations with significant tree cover or that would require extensive forest clearing. Additionally, the foothills of the Coast Range to the west may create some afternoon shading in certain locations, making eastern portions of the region potentially more productive for solar energy harvesting.
The relatively open nature of the landscape around Monmouth, combined with the broad valley setting, creates minimal topographical constraints for solar development compared to more mountainous regions of Oregon. The gradual rise in elevation from the valley floor toward the surrounding mountain ranges provides options for installations at varying elevations, potentially allowing developers to position arrays above valley fog layers that occasionally form during winter months.
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: Thursday 22nd of May 2025
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.
