Big Bear, California, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 34.2611, -116.845, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with notable seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location demonstrates strong summer performance with solar panels generating 8.22 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity during the summer months. Spring follows closely behind at 7.98 kWh per day per kW, making these the optimal seasons for solar energy production at this site. Autumn shows a moderate decline to 5.59 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging period with output dropping to 4.01 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. This significant winter reduction means the location produces approximately twice as much solar energy during peak summer months compared to the winter season.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Big Bear, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 30-degree tilt angle facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual output by accounting for the sun's varying elevation throughout the year and weighting these angles based on actual solar irradiance data.

Local Environmental Challenges

Several significant environmental factors at Big Bear can impact solar energy production and require specific preventative measures:

• Snow accumulation: Being located at approximately 6,750 feet elevation in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear experiences regular winter snowfall that can completely block solar panels
• Pine pollen and forest debris: The heavily forested mountain environment generates substantial organic debris that accumulates on panel surfaces
• Wildfire smoke and ash: Southern California's fire-prone region can create extended periods of reduced solar irradiance and panel contamination
• Temperature extremes: Mountain climate variations can stress solar equipment and reduce efficiency

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove essential. Panels should be mounted at steeper angles when possible to encourage natural snow shedding, while ensuring adequate spacing between panel rows to prevent snow accumulation blocking lower panels. Installing easily accessible cleaning systems or planning for regular professional maintenance becomes crucial due to the high debris environment. Consider panels with smooth surfaces and anti-reflective coatings that resist organic buildup. Robust mounting systems designed for high wind and snow loads are necessary, along with inverters and electrical components rated for extreme temperature variations. Installing monitoring systems helps identify when environmental factors are significantly impacting performance, allowing for timely maintenance interventions. The location's moderate solar potential combined with these environmental challenges means Big Bear requires more intensive maintenance and specialized installation approaches compared to desert locations, but can still provide reasonable solar energy returns with proper planning and ongoing care.

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 Big Bear

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.2611, Longitude: -116.845 (Big Bear, 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 Big Bear, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Big Bear, United States (Lat/Long 34.2611, -116.845) 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 Big Bear, 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 Big Bear, 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
18° 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 Big Bear, 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 Big Bear, 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 Big Bear, United States

Topography of the Big Bear Region

Big Bear sits at an elevation of approximately 7,000 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, creating a distinctive high-altitude environment surrounded by dramatic topographical features. The area is characterized by steep mountain slopes, deep valleys, and a relatively flat basin where Big Bear Lake itself resides. The San Bernardino National Forest encompasses much of the surrounding terrain, with peaks rising well above 8,000 feet in multiple directions.

The immediate vicinity features a mix of forested mountainsides dominated by pine, fir, and oak trees, along with more open meadow areas and rocky outcroppings. The terrain transitions from the relatively level lake basin to increasingly steep slopes as elevation changes rapidly within short distances. Many ridgelines and saddles create natural breaks in the landscape, while numerous small canyons and drainage areas cut through the mountainous terrain.

Winter snowfall significantly impacts the region's topography seasonally, with accumulations that can persist for months at these elevations. The combination of altitude, slope orientation, and forest cover creates microclimates throughout the area, with south-facing slopes generally receiving more direct sunlight than their north-facing counterparts.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for substantial solar photovoltaic installations would be found in the flatter portions of the Big Bear valley floor and select cleared areas on gentler south-facing slopes. The relatively level terrain around the eastern and southern portions of Big Bear Lake offers some of the most suitable topography, though much of this area is already developed or designated for other uses.

Moving beyond the immediate Big Bear basin, the desert transition zones at lower elevations to the south and east present significantly better opportunities for large-scale solar development. These areas, typically found between 3,000 and 5,000 feet elevation, offer more consistent terrain with gentler grades and reduced forest cover. The high desert regions extending toward Victorville and Apple Valley feature the kind of open, relatively flat topography that major solar installations require.

Areas along Highway 18 as it descends from the mountains toward the Mojave Desert represent particularly attractive sites, combining reasonable accessibility with suitable terrain characteristics. These locations benefit from reduced tree cover, more predictable weather patterns, and terrain that requires minimal grading for large-scale development. The transition zone between mountain forest and true desert provides an optimal balance of elevation, accessibility, and land availability for significant solar projects.

Within the immediate Big Bear area itself, any large-scale solar development would face considerable challenges from steep terrain, extensive forest cover, environmental protections, and existing residential development. The mountainous topography that makes the region scenic and desirable for recreation creates natural limitations for the kind of expansive, flat areas that maximize solar installation efficiency and minimize development costs.

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.