Solar PV Analysis of Brea, United States
Based on the data provided, Brea, California is a good location for generating solar energy year-round. There are higher levels of solar energy production in summer and spring with 7.85kWh/day and 7.07kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar panels compared to autumn and winter which have lower outputs at 5.26kWh/day and 3.88kWh/day respectively.
The best time to generate solar power in this location would be in the summer due to the longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, followed by spring. However, even during autumn and winter months, there's still a decent amount of electricity that can be generated from solar panels.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of about 30 degrees facing south will give you maximum year-round production from your PV system.
As for potential issues that could impede solar production in Brea; environmental or weather factors such as excessive dust or debris on the panels can limit their efficiency by blocking sunlight. Regular cleaning of the panels will help maintain optimal performance levels.
Moreover, although Brea generally has sunny weather throughout much of the year which is ideal for solar power generation; occasional rainstorms or foggy conditions may temporarily reduce output but should not significantly impact overall yearly productivity given how infrequent these events are compared to sunny days.
Additionally, shading from nearby buildings or trees could also affect your system’s performance if they obstruct sun exposure especially during peak sunlight hours (around midday). If possible try placing your installation where it has clear unobstructed access to sunlight most part of the day for optimal results.
In summary: Brea is a favorable place for harnessing sun power all-year round with summer being particularly productive; regular maintenance & careful placement away from shadows will ensure getting most out of your PV system there.
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 Brea
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.9339, Longitude: -117.8854 (Brea, 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 Brea, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Brea, United States (Lat/Long 33.9339, -117.8854) 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 Brea, 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 Brea, 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 | 48° 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 Brea, 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 Brea, 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 Brea, United States
Brea is located in Orange County, California. The topography of the area around Brea is characterized by relatively flat lands with some hilly areas towards the north and east. The city itself sits at an elevation of about 240 meters above sea level.
Orange County has a Mediterranean climate, which means it gets plenty of sunshine throughout the year, making it suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.
In terms of specific locations for large-scale solar PV around Brea:
1. Flat Lands: Large flat areas within or near Brea would be ideal for ground-mounted solar PV systems due to ease of installation and maintenance.
2. Rooftops: In urbanized parts of Brea and nearby cities like Fullerton or Anaheim, rooftops on commercial buildings could be utilized for installing solar panels.
3. Unused Land Spaces: Any unused land spaces within or surrounding Brea that receive good sunlight exposure can also be considered for setting up solar farms.
4. Brownfield Sites: If there are any brownfield sites (previously developed land that's not currently in use) available in the vicinity, they could potentially be repurposed into a renewable energy site with proper planning and remediation if necessary.
However, before proceeding with such projects, factors such as local regulations regarding renewable energy projects, potential impacts on local ecosystems and communities should also be taken into consideration along with technical feasibility studies.
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 15th of July 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.
