Solar PV Analysis of Burlingame, United States
Burlingame, California, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a favorable location for solar energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 37.5659° N latitude and -122.3661° W longitude, this coastal city experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Production
Solar energy production in Burlingame fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 7.04 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.79 kWh/day. Autumn sees a notable decrease to 4.36 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 3.06 kWh/day.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in this region. However, the relatively high output during spring and summer months compensates for the reduced winter production, making Burlingame a viable location for year-round solar energy harvesting.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Burlingame, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 33 degrees facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Burlingame's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact efficiency:
- Coastal fog: Being close to the San Francisco Bay, Burlingame can experience morning fog, especially during summer months. This may temporarily reduce solar output in the early hours of the day.
- Air pollution: The Bay Area's occasional poor air quality could slightly diminish solar panel efficiency.
To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures:
- Install panels at a slightly steeper angle to allow fog moisture to run off more easily
- Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove any accumulated pollutants or debris
- Use high-quality, anti-reflective coatings on panels to maximize light absorption even in less-than-ideal conditions
Despite these minor challenges, Burlingame remains an excellent location for solar energy production. Its mild climate, abundant sunshine, and relatively consistent seasonal patterns make it well-suited for both residential and commercial solar installations.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° 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 Burlingame
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.5659, Longitude: -122.3661 (Burlingame, 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 33° South in Burlingame, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Burlingame, United States (Lat/Long 37.5659, -122.3661) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Burlingame, 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 Burlingame, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 52° South in Winter | 30° 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 Burlingame, 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 Burlingame, 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 Burlingame, United States
The topography around Burlingame, California, is quite diverse and interesting. Situated on the western shore of San Francisco Bay, Burlingame is nestled between the bay to the east and a range of hills to the west. The city itself is relatively flat, with gentle slopes rising from the bayshore towards the west.
As you move west from Burlingame, the terrain becomes more varied and elevated. The eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains begin to rise, creating a series of ridges and valleys. These hills are part of the Coast Ranges and provide a natural barrier between the San Francisco Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean.
To the east of Burlingame, the landscape is dominated by the waters of San Francisco Bay. The shoreline is mostly flat and has been extensively developed, with some areas reclaimed from the bay for urban use. Several small creeks and streams flow from the western hills through Burlingame and into the bay.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few possibilities to consider:
The most promising areas for solar PV would likely be found in the more open, flatter regions to the south and east of Burlingame. The cities of San Mateo, Foster City, and Redwood City have larger expanses of flat land that could potentially accommodate solar farms. These areas receive ample sunlight and have fewer tall buildings or natural obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels.
Another potential location for solar PV installations could be on the eastern slopes of the hills west of Burlingame. While the terrain is more challenging, these hillsides often receive excellent sun exposure throughout the day. However, environmental concerns and local regulations might limit large-scale development in these areas.
It's worth noting that the densely populated nature of the San Francisco Peninsula means that finding large, contiguous areas for solar farms can be challenging. As a result, distributed solar installations on rooftops of commercial and industrial buildings throughout the region might be a more practical approach for increasing solar energy production in this area.
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: Sunday 18th of August 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.
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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.
