Claremont, California, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation. With its geographical coordinates at 34.0967, -117.7198, this area experiences varying levels of solar energy production throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Output

The solar energy output in Claremont fluctuates across the four seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 8.39 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 7.71 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 5.48 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.91 kWh/day.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The long, sunny days of summer make it the ideal season for solar energy production in Claremont. Spring comes in as a close second, benefiting from increasing daylight hours and typically clear skies. While autumn and winter see reduced output, the region's subtropical climate ensures that solar panels continue to generate significant energy year-round.

Panel Tilt Angle for Maximum Efficiency

For those installing fixed solar panels in Claremont, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 30 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Claremont generally provides favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

1. Dust and air pollution: Claremont's proximity to urban areas may lead to dust and air pollution accumulation on solar panels, potentially reducing their efficiency.
2. Occasional extreme heat: During peak summer months, very high temperatures can slightly decrease panel efficiency.

To mitigate these issues, regular panel cleaning and maintenance should be scheduled. Additionally, choosing high-quality panels designed to perform well in hot conditions can help maintain optimal energy production throughout the year.

Overall, Claremont's climate and geographical location make it an excellent choice for solar PV installations, with the potential for substantial energy generation across all seasons.

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 Claremont

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.0967, Longitude: -117.7198 (Claremont, 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 Claremont, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Claremont, United States (Lat/Long 34.0967, -117.7198) 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 Claremont, 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 Claremont, 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 Claremont, 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 Claremont, 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 Claremont, United States

The topography around Claremont, California, is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from flat urban areas to rolling foothills and steep mountains. Situated at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, Claremont enjoys a unique geographical position where the sprawling Los Angeles basin meets the rugged terrain of Southern California's mountain ranges. To the south and west of Claremont, the land is primarily flat, consisting of developed urban and suburban areas. This region is part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, with a gentle slope that gradually descends towards the coast. The flat terrain in this direction extends for many miles, encompassing neighboring cities and towns. As one moves north and east from Claremont, the landscape becomes more varied and dramatic. The foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains begin to rise, creating a picturesque backdrop for the city. These foothills feature gentle slopes and undulating terrain, covered in chaparral vegetation typical of Southern California's Mediterranean climate. Further north, the San Gabriel Mountains themselves dominate the skyline. These mountains are part of the Transverse Ranges and rise steeply from the valley floor. The highest peaks in the vicinity, such as Mount San Antonio (commonly known as Mount Baldy), reach elevations of over 10,000 feet. The mountain slopes are characterized by rugged canyons, steep ridges, and forested areas at higher elevations.

Suitable Areas for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Claremont for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the most suitable locations would likely be found to the east and northeast of the city. The Mojave Desert region, which begins about 50 miles east of Claremont, offers ideal conditions for solar energy production. This desert area features vast expanses of flat or gently sloping terrain with minimal vegetation. The climate is arid, with abundant sunshine throughout the year and very little cloud cover. These factors combine to create optimal conditions for solar PV installations. Specific areas that might be well-suited for large-scale solar projects include parts of San Bernardino County and Riverside County. These regions have already seen significant development of solar farms due to their favorable conditions. The open desert landscapes provide ample space for extensive arrays of solar panels without interfering with urban development or sensitive ecosystems. It's important to note that while the immediate vicinity of Claremont may not be ideal for large-scale solar installations due to urban development and mountainous terrain, the nearby desert regions offer excellent potential for harnessing solar energy on a grand scale.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.