Blythe, California, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, is an exceptionally favorable location for solar PV energy generation year-round. The city's geographical coordinates (33.6142, -114.5974) position it in an area with abundant sunlight throughout the year, making it an ideal spot for solar power production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panels in Blythe demonstrate impressive performance across all seasons. Summer yields the highest output at 8.06 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 7.98 kWh/day, showcasing the location's potential for extended periods of high productivity. Even during the less sunny seasons, the output remains substantial, with autumn producing 5.42 kWh/day and winter generating 4.05 kWh/day.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The most productive periods for solar energy generation in Blythe are undoubtedly summer and spring. During these seasons, longer daylight hours and clearer skies contribute to peak performance. However, the relatively high output in autumn and winter indicates that solar panels remain effective year-round, making Blythe an excellent location for consistent solar energy production.

Panel Installation Considerations

For fixed panel installations in Blythe, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 29 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for seasonal variations in the sun's position.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Blythe's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few factors to consider: 1. High temperatures: Blythe experiences very hot summers, which can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency. Using heat-resistant panels and ensuring proper ventilation can mitigate this issue. 2. Dust and sand: The desert environment may lead to dust accumulation on panels. Regular cleaning and maintenance can prevent this from impacting energy production. 3. Occasional cloud cover: Although infrequent, cloud cover during the winter months may temporarily reduce output. However, this is not a significant concern given the overall high solar potential of the area. To address these factors, implementing a robust cleaning schedule, using high-quality, heat-resistant panels, and ensuring proper panel spacing for ventilation can help maintain optimal energy production. Additionally, considering a tracking system instead of fixed panels could further enhance energy capture, especially during the shorter winter days. In conclusion, Blythe's location makes it an excellent choice for solar PV installations, with high energy production potential throughout the year and only minor environmental challenges that can be easily managed with proper planning and maintenance.

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 Blythe

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.6142, Longitude: -114.5974 (Blythe, 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 29° South in Blythe, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Blythe, United States (Lat/Long 33.6142, -114.5974) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Blythe, 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 Blythe, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
17° South in Summer	38° South in Autumn	48° South in Winter	26° 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 Blythe, 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 Blythe, 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 Blythe, United States

The topography around Blythe, California, is characterized by a flat, arid desert landscape typical of the Lower Colorado River Valley. Located in the southeastern part of the state, Blythe sits on the western bank of the Colorado River, which forms the border between California and Arizona. The surrounding area is predominantly low-lying, with elevations ranging from about 250 to 400 feet above sea level. The terrain in and around Blythe is primarily composed of alluvial plains and desert flats. These expansive, level areas are interspersed with occasional dry washes and arroyos, which are channels carved by infrequent but intense rainfall events. To the west and northwest of Blythe, the landscape gradually transitions into more rugged terrain, with low hills and small mountain ranges such as the McCoy Mountains and the Mule Mountains rising from the desert floor.

Ideal Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

The regions surrounding Blythe offer excellent potential for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations due to several favorable factors. The vast, flat expanses of desert land to the north, west, and southwest of Blythe are particularly well-suited for solar energy development. These areas benefit from: 1. Abundant sunshine: The region experiences over 300 days of sunshine per year, with minimal cloud cover and high solar irradiance levels. 2. Level terrain: The flat topography reduces construction costs and simplifies the installation of solar panels. 3. Low population density: The sparsely populated areas around Blythe minimize potential land-use conflicts. 4. Proximity to existing infrastructure: The presence of transmission lines and transportation routes facilitates the development and connection of solar projects to the grid. Specific areas that show promise for large-scale solar PV development include the desert plains west of Blythe, extending towards the McCoy Mountains, and the expansive flatlands to the southwest, approaching the Chocolate Mountains. These locations offer large, contiguous tracts of undeveloped land with minimal environmental sensitivities, making them ideal candidates for utility-scale solar installations. It's worth noting that several solar projects have already been developed or proposed in the vicinity of Blythe, underscoring the region's suitability for solar energy production. As California continues to pursue ambitious renewable energy goals, the areas surrounding Blythe are likely to play an increasingly important role in the state's solar energy landscape.

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.