Solar PV Analysis of Baker, United States
Baker, California is a pretty good place for solar energy production year-round. During the summer you can expect to generate about 8.25 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels you have. This decreases slightly in spring to about 7.83 kWh/day, drops further in autumn to around 5.45 kWh/day and is lowest in winter at approximately 3.90 kWh/day.
So ideally, the best times to generate solar power would be during summer and spring when sunlight is abundant.
In order to get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year, they should be tilted at an angle of 31 degrees facing south if they are fixed installations - this position will maximize their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year.
However, there might be some local factors that could affect your ability to produce as much energy as possible from your panels:
1) Dust and dirt: Baker is located in a desert area which means dust storms may occur from time-to-time causing dust accumulation on your panels reducing their efficiency.
Preventative Measure: Regular cleaning or installation of automated cleaning systems can help ensure optimal performance.
2) High temperatures: Solar PV efficiency can decrease with high temperature which could be relevant given Baker's hot desert climate.
Preventative Measure: Using high-temperature tolerant PV modules or installing cooling mechanisms might help mitigate this issue.
3) Cloud cover / Rainfall: Although Baker doesn't receive significant rainfall annually, cloud cover during certain periods may reduce output.
Preventative Measure: There isn't much one can do regarding weather conditions but having battery storage system will allow excess energy produced on sunny days stored for use on cloudy ones.
4) Wind damage: The area experiences occasional strong winds which could potentially damage exposed panel installations.
Preventative Measures: Secure mounting structures and wind barriers can minimize potential wind damage.
Despite these potential challenges, with the right installation and maintenance practices, Baker is a pretty solid location for solar power generation.
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 Baker
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.3606, Longitude: -116.0638 (Baker, 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 Baker, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Baker, United States (Lat/Long 35.3606, -116.0638) 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 Baker, 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 Baker, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° South in Summer | 40° South in Autumn | 50° South in Winter | 28° 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 Baker, 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 Baker, 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 Baker, United States
Baker, United States is located in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. The topography around Baker is mostly flat desert scrubland with some low-lying hills and mountains. The area has a hot desert climate with very little rainfall throughout the year.
Given its location in the Mojave Desert, which receives high levels of sunlight annually, large areas of flat land would be highly suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. In fact, there are already several large solar power plants in this region including Ivanpah Solar Power Facility and Silver State South Solar Project.
Moreover, areas that have minimal obstructions such as buildings or vegetation would be ideal for installing solar panels as they can maximize sun exposure. Also considering proximity to existing transmission lines or substations could also be beneficial to reduce infrastructure costs associated with connecting the solar farm to the grid.
However, it's important to note that any development should take into account potential environmental impacts such as disruption to local wildlife habitats or water resources (even though water usage by PV solar is typically very low).
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: Tuesday 21st of May 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.
