Solar PV Analysis of Carson, United States
Carson, California is a pretty good location for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems all year round. This is due to its location in the Northern Sub Tropics which generally has favorable sun exposure.
In terms of electricity output per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar, you can expect an average production of 7.11 kWh/day in summer, 4.85 kWh/day in autumn, 3.72 kWh/day in winter and 6.84 kWh/day in spring.
The best time to generate solar power at this location would be during the longer daylight hours of summer and spring when the sun's rays are most direct and intense on the panels.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system at this location, it's recommended that fixed panel installations should ideally be tilted at an angle of about 30 degrees towards the south where they can capture more sunlight as it moves across the sky from east to west each day.
There may be some local factors that could affect or impede your ability to generate solar power here though - things like weather conditions (e.g., heavy cloud cover or fog), environmental issues (like dust or pollution), or obstructions such as tall buildings or trees blocking sunlight from reaching your panels.
However, these potential challenges can often be mitigated with careful planning and installation practices. For example:
- Regular cleaning can help keep your panels clear of dust and dirt.
- Choosing a site that's free from shading by nearby structures or vegetation will ensure maximum exposure to sunlight.
- Installing additional hardware like tracking mounts could allow your panels to follow the sun’s path throughout the day for optimal energy production.
Overall though, Carson is quite well-suited for harnessing solar energy thanks largely to its sunny climate most parts of the year!
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 Carson
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.8242, Longitude: -118.268 (Carson, 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 Carson, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Carson, United States (Lat/Long 33.8242, -118.268) 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 Carson, 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 Carson, 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 | 38° 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 Carson, 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 Carson, 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 Carson, United States
Carson is located in the state of California, United States. The topography around Carson is relatively flat as it's situated in the Los Angeles Basin. The city itself is highly urbanized with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
The area has a Mediterranean climate with lots of sunshine throughout the year making it suitable for solar PV installations. However, due to its high level of urbanization, large-scale ground-mounted solar farms may not be feasible within the city limits.
Nearby areas that could potentially be suited for large-scale solar PV include less densely populated or undeveloped regions such as parts of Antelope Valley and Mojave Desert which are known for their abundant sunlight and availability of open land spaces. These areas have already been used for multiple large-scale solar projects.
However, rooftop solar installations could be an option within Carson and other nearby urbanized locations given the abundance of commercial and industrial buildings with large roof spaces. This can provide an opportunity to generate renewable energy without requiring additional land resources.
It's important to note that any potential site would need a detailed assessment considering factors like local regulations, connection to grid infrastructure, environmental impact among others before proceeding with a project.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 24th 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.
