Solar PV Analysis of Campbell, United States
In simple terms, the location at Campbell, California, USA is pretty good for generating energy through solar panels all year round. This is based on how much electricity you can expect to get from each kilowatt of solar power installed in different seasons.
During summer and spring, you would get a lot of electricity - 8.63 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and 7.53 kilowatt-hours per day in spring. This means these are the best times of the year to generate solar power at this location because there's lots of sunlight.
However, during autumn and winter, you would get less electricity - 4.90 kilowatt-hours per day in autumn and only 3.04 kilowatt-hours per day in winter due to less sunlight.
If you're installing fixed panel solar systems here, it's best to tilt the panels at an angle that points towards 32 degrees South for maximum productivity throughout the year.
Now let's talk about potential issues that could affect your solar production here:
Campbell experiences a Mediterranean climate with cool wet winters which can reduce your overall energy output as snow or heavy rain may block sunlight from reaching your panels but it doesn't snow often enough so this isn't a major concern.
For preventative measures:
1) Regular cleaning: Dust accumulation on panels can also lower efficiency so regular cleaning will be necessary especially after rainy or windy days.
2) Appropriate installation: Ensure professional installation so that panels are securely mounted to withstand strong winds without being damaged or misaligned.
3) Use high-quality equipment: Go for high-efficiency PV modules which perform better under low light conditions thus maximizing output even during cloudy days or shorter daylight hours in winter months.
Overall though Campbell’s sunny weather most parts of the year makes it an excellent place for harnessing solar energy!
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 Campbell
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.2808, Longitude: -121.9572 (Campbell, 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 32° South in Campbell, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Campbell, United States (Lat/Long 37.2808, -121.9572) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Campbell, 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 Campbell, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° 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 | 41° South in Autumn | 51° South in Winter | 29° 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 Campbell, 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 Campbell, 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 Campbell, United States
Campbell, California is located in the Santa Clara Valley, part of the larger San Francisco Bay Area. The topography around Campbell is generally flat with some rolling hills, and it's known for its Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters.
The region receives an average of 260 sunny days per year which makes it a good location for solar PV installations. Large scale solar PV would be most suited in open areas that receive maximum sunlight exposure throughout the day. These could include large rooftops (commercial or industrial buildings), parking lots with solar canopies or unused lands around the city.
However, it's important to verify local zoning laws and environmental considerations before planning any large-scale installation. For instance, preserving agricultural land might be a priority in certain regions within Santa Clara County.
In terms of specific nearby areas that may be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations:
1) South San Jose: This area has extensive commercial and industrial zones which could host rooftop or ground-mounted systems.
2) Morgan Hill and Gilroy: These southern parts of Santa Clara County are less densely populated than areas closer to San Francisco Bay and have more available land potentially suitable for ground-mounted systems.
3) Eastern Foothills: Although hilly terrain can pose challenges for solar panel installation due to shading issues, there might still be potential sites depending on specifics of slope orientation (southern-facing slopes are ideal).
As always these suggestions should only serve as starting points - thorough site assessments would need to be conducted by professionals before any decisions are made.
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: Tuesday 2nd 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.
