Solar Energy Generation in Barstow, California

Barstow, California, located at latitude 34.8891 and longitude -117.034 in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers excellent conditions for solar PV energy production throughout the year. This desert location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy output that are worth understanding for anyone considering solar installations in the area. The solar energy generation potential shows strong seasonal patterns. Summer brings the highest production at 8.39kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity, making it the peak season for solar energy. Spring follows closely with 7.71kWh/day, providing nearly as much energy as summer months. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 5.48kWh/day, while winter shows the lowest production at 3.91kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Barstow, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 30 degrees facing South. This angle represents the best compromise between summer and winter sun positions, ensuring good production across all seasons rather than optimizing for just one season.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors in Barstow can affect solar production:

• Dust and sand accumulation: The desert location means panels can quickly become covered with dust, potentially reducing efficiency by 15-25% if not regularly cleaned.
• High temperatures: Barstow's summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F (38°C), which can reduce solar panel efficiency as most panels lose efficiency above 77°F (25°C).
• Occasional flash flooding: Though rare, these events can damage ground-mounted systems if not properly elevated and secured.
• Wind-blown debris: The open desert landscape can result in debris impact during high wind events.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production in Barstow, consider these installation strategies:

• Implement regular cleaning schedules, possibly with automated cleaning systems for larger installations
• Use panels with good high-temperature performance ratings
• Install panels with sufficient elevation from the ground to prevent flash flood damage
• Consider tracking systems to increase production (though this adds complexity and maintenance requirements)
• Ensure robust mounting systems designed for high wind conditions
• Install micro-inverters or optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading from dust accumulation

Despite these challenges, Barstow remains an exceptional location for solar energy production with its abundant sunshine, particularly from spring through fall. The annual average production significantly exceeds national averages, making solar installations here economically attractive despite the need for some additional maintenance considerations.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 Barstow

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.8891, Longitude: -117.034 (Barstow, 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 30° South in Barstow, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Barstow, United States (Lat/Long 34.8891, -117.034) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Barstow, 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 Barstow, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° 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	39° South in Autumn	49° South in Winter	27° 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 Barstow, 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 Barstow, 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 Barstow, United States

Barstow sits in the Mojave Desert region of Southern California, characterized by its arid climate and stark desert landscapes. The topography around Barstow features a mix of flat desert plains, dry lake beds, rolling hills, and mountain ranges that create a distinctive basin and range landscape pattern typical of the American Southwest. The city itself occupies a valley area where the Mojave River occasionally flows, though it remains dry for much of the year. This valley is surrounded by several notable geological features. To the north and northeast lie the Calico Mountains, with their distinctive colorful rock formations that gave them their name. The Newberry Mountains rise to the east, while the Ord Mountains can be found to the southeast of Barstow.

Basin Topography

The basins around Barstow consist primarily of alluvial plains and desert flats created by centuries of erosion from the surrounding mountains. These flat expanses stretch for miles in several directions, particularly to the west and southwest toward Victorville and the greater Los Angeles basin. The elevation in Barstow is approximately 2,175 feet (663 meters) above sea level, placing it at a moderate elevation compared to other desert communities in the region. Several dry lake beds or playas exist in the vicinity, including Harper Dry Lake to the northwest and Coyote Dry Lake to the northeast. These flat, hardpacked surfaces represent some of the lowest elevation points in the local topography and were formed by occasional water runoff that evaporates, leaving behind mineral deposits.

Mountain Features

The mountain ranges surrounding Barstow provide a dramatic backdrop to the desert landscape. These mountains generally rise 1,000-3,000 feet above the surrounding terrain. The Calico Mountains to the northeast feature colorful banded rock layers of red, white, and green, formed through volcanic activity and mineral deposits over millions of years. To the south, the more substantial San Bernardino Mountains create a significant topographical barrier between the Mojave Desert and the Los Angeles basin. Though further from Barstow proper, their presence influences the regional climate and drainage patterns.

Solar PV Suitability

The flat basin areas surrounding Barstow offer exceptional conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic development. Several factors make this region particularly suitable: The extensive flat desert terrain to the west and southwest of Barstow provides ideal conditions for solar farm development. These areas offer minimal grading requirements, reducing construction costs and environmental impact. The Harper Dry Lake area northwest of Barstow has already demonstrated its suitability, hosting existing solar facilities. The gently sloping alluvial fans extending from the mountain ranges present slightly elevated terrain with good drainage characteristics, minimizing flood risks while maintaining the flat aspect needed for efficient panel arrangement. These areas, particularly between Barstow and Dagget to the east, offer excellent potential for solar development. The northern and eastern approaches to Barstow, extending toward the Calico Mountains and beyond to Yermo, feature broad, flat expanses with minimal vegetation and good road access. These areas receive minimal shading from topographical features, ensuring consistent solar exposure throughout the day. The region's minimal cloud cover and low precipitation contribute to the area's solar potential, though these climatic factors are separate from the topographical considerations that make the land physically suitable for development. The combination of extensive flat terrain, minimal vegetation, established transportation infrastructure via Interstate 15 and Interstate 40, and proximity to existing transmission infrastructure makes the basins around Barstow among the most promising locations for utility-scale solar development in the continental United States.

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.