Solar PV Analysis of Burbank, United States
Burbank, California is a pretty good spot for generating solar energy year-round. The amount of electricity you can expect to generate with one kilowatt (kW) of solar panels changes with the seasons:
- In summer, you'd get about 8.42 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day
- In autumn, it drops to around 5.40 kWh/day
- Winter sees the lowest output at about 3.82 kWh/day
- Spring bounces back up to around 7.54 kWh/day
To maximize your total yearly production from solar panels in Burbank, it's best to tilt them at an angle of 30 degrees towards the south.
When considering local factors that could affect solar production in this area, Southern California does experience occasional smog and air pollution which can reduce sunlight reaching the panels and thus their productivity. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help keep your panels operating efficiently despite these environmental challenges.
Furthermore, although rare in Burbank, heavy rains or hail could potentially damage the panels; so using robust mounting systems and protective measures during installation is advisable.
In summary, while there are some challenges related to weather and environment conditions that need consideration when installing solar panels in Burbank CA., its location within Northern Sub Tropics makes it generally conducive for year-round solar power generation especially during spring and summer seasons with appropriate panel positioning and regular 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 Burbank
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.1964, Longitude: -118.3256 (Burbank, 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 Burbank, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Burbank, United States (Lat/Long 34.1964, -118.3256) 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 Burbank, 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 Burbank, 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 Burbank, 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 Burbank, 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 Burbank, United States
Burbank is located in the southeastern end of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County. The topography around Burbank is relatively flat with some hilly areas towards the north and east. To its south, it's bordered by Griffith Park, a large municipal park with mountainous terrain.
The region experiences a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine throughout the year which makes it suitable for solar PV installations. However, due to urban development and dense population, finding large open spaces within Burbank city limits could be challenging.
Nearby areas that would be most suited for largescale solar PV might include:
1. Mojave Desert: Located to the north-east of Burbank, this desert area receives high levels of sunlight and has vast expanses of undeveloped land.
2. Antelope Valley: Also to the north-east, this valley has already seen significant investment into solar power generation.
3. Rooftops: Given Burbank’s urban setting and lack of open space, utilizing rooftop space on commercial buildings or residential homes could be an effective way to implement solar power on a smaller scale.
4. Parking lots: Large parking lots can also serve as potential sites for installing solar panels.
Please note that while these locations have potential based on geographical factors alone, actual suitability would depend on various other factors like local regulations, environmental considerations (like impact on local fauna), connection to power grid etc., which need further detailed study before deciding upon any location for large-scale installation.
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: Thursday 18th of April 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.
