Solar PV Analysis of Atwater, United States
Atwater, California is a decent location for year-round solar energy production. The best times of year for generating solar energy at this location would be during the summer and spring due to higher daily electricity output. Specifically, you can expect about 8.63 kilowatt-hours per day in the summer and 7.57 kilowatt-hours per day in the spring from each kilowatt of installed solar power.
The autumn and winter seasons produce less electricity - around 4.77kWh/day in autumn and only 3kWh/day in winter - but it's still a significant amount that can contribute to your overall energy needs.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 31 degrees towards the South will maximize total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic system.
However, there may be certain environmental or weather factors that could impact your solar production. For instance, Atwater experiences foggy conditions during winter months which might reduce sunlight exposure on panels hence lower generation capacity. Also, dust accumulation on panels over time can reduce their efficiency.
To mitigate these potential issues:
1) Regular cleaning of the panels is recommended to remove any dust or debris that could block sunlight.
2) You might want to consider installing tracking mounts that follow the sun's path across the sky instead of fixed mounts; they can help increase your system's efficiency especially during those foggy days.
3) Lastly, make sure there are no tall structures or trees nearby that could potentially cast shadows on your solar panels as this would also decrease their productivity.
Overall though, Atwater offers good potential for harnessing solar power throughout most parts of the year with appropriate installation considerations and regular maintenance practices put into place.
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 Atwater
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.3472, Longitude: -120.6039 (Atwater, 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 31° South in Atwater, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Atwater, United States (Lat/Long 37.3472, -120.6039) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Atwater, 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 Atwater, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° South in Summer | 41° South in Autumn | 51° South in Winter | 30° 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 Atwater, 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 Atwater, 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 Atwater, United States
Atwater, California is located in the Central Valley of the state. The topography is primarily flat and low-lying, with some gently rolling hills in certain areas. The climate is Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and mild winters.
The surrounding area would be well-suited to large-scale solar PV installations due to its high annual sunlight hours and flat terrain. Particularly, agricultural lands that are no longer productive could be repurposed for solar energy generation. However, any such project would need to take into account local environmental regulations and potential impacts on wildlife habitats or other sensitive ecosystems.
In addition to land-based installations, there may also be potential for rooftop solar panels on commercial or industrial buildings in Atwater itself or nearby cities like Merced.
As always before proceeding with a large-scale renewable energy project, it's important to conduct a detailed feasibility study that considers all relevant factors including local climate conditions (like average sunlight hours), land availability and suitability (including soil type if ground-mounted systems are being considered), grid connectivity options etc.
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: Monday 29th of April 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.
