Solar Energy Potential in Cerritos, California

Cerritos, California, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 33.8665° N latitude and 118.0668° W longitude, this location benefits from abundant sunshine and mild temperatures, making it an attractive spot for solar PV installations. The seasonal variations in solar energy production at Cerritos are notable but still provide consistent output. Summer naturally yields the highest energy production at 7.11 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 6.84 kWh/day, demonstrating the location's strong potential during the warmer months. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 4.85 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.72 kWh/day per kW installed. For those considering fixed panel installations in Cerritos, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The most productive periods for solar energy generation in Cerritos are during the spring and summer months. These seasons offer longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, resulting in peak energy production. However, it's worth noting that even during the less productive autumn and winter months, the region still maintains a respectable solar output due to its subtropical location.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Cerritos generally provides excellent conditions for solar energy production, there are a few factors to consider: 1. Coastal fog: Being relatively close to the Pacific coast, Cerritos may experience occasional morning fog, especially during spring and early summer. This can temporarily reduce solar efficiency in the early hours of the day. 2. Air pollution: As part of the greater Los Angeles area, Cerritos may sometimes experience reduced air quality, which can slightly diminish solar panel efficiency. To mitigate these potential issues, consider the following preventative measures:

• Install panels at a slightly steeper angle to allow morning dew or fog to run off more easily
• Regularly clean panels to remove any accumulated dust or pollutants
• Use high-efficiency panels that perform well in diffuse light conditions

Overall, Cerritos offers an ideal location for solar PV installations, with its year-round sunny climate and minimal environmental challenges. By implementing these simple measures, residents and businesses can maximize their solar energy production and contribute to a more sustainable future.

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 Cerritos

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.8665, Longitude: -118.0668 (Cerritos, 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 Cerritos, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cerritos, United States (Lat/Long 33.8665, -118.0668) 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 Cerritos, 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 Cerritos, 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 Cerritos, 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 Cerritos, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Cerritos, United States

The topography around Cerritos, California, is generally flat to gently rolling. Cerritos is located in the southeastern part of Los Angeles County, within the coastal plain region. The area is characterized by low-lying terrain with very little significant elevation change.

The city itself and its immediate surroundings are predominantly urban and suburban, with most of the natural landscape having been developed. To the north and east, the terrain gradually rises towards the Puente Hills and the San Gabriel Valley. To the south and west, the land remains relatively flat as it extends towards the Pacific coast.

The nearby San Gabriel River runs to the east of Cerritos, creating a slight depression in the landscape. However, this feature does not dramatically alter the overall flat nature of the region. The elevation of Cerritos is approximately 50 feet (15 meters) above sea level, with only minor variations across the city and its neighboring areas.

Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, the immediate vicinity of Cerritos may not be ideal due to its dense urban development. However, there are potential locations in the broader region that could be more appropriate:

1. The Antelope Valley, located about 60 miles north of Cerritos, offers vast open spaces with minimal cloud cover and high solar irradiance. This area is already home to several large solar farms.

2. The Mojave Desert, situated further to the northeast, provides extensive flat terrain and receives abundant sunlight year-round. This region has been a popular choice for utility-scale solar projects.

3. Parts of the Imperial Valley, located southeast of Cerritos near the Mexican border, offer suitable conditions for solar energy production. The area's flat topography and high solar radiation levels make it attractive for large-scale installations.

4. Some portions of San Bernardino County, to the east of Los Angeles, may also be suitable for solar farms, particularly in less developed areas with open, flat terrain.

These locations offer the advantage of larger, unobstructed land areas, higher solar irradiance, and fewer conflicts with urban development compared to the immediate surroundings of Cerritos. However, factors such as grid connectivity, land ownership, and environmental considerations would need to be carefully evaluated for any potential large-scale solar PV 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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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.