Solar PV Analysis of Coarsegold, United States
Coarsegold, California, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a relatively favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The seasonal variations in electricity output per kW of installed solar panels provide insights into the location's potential for solar energy production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy generation in Coarsegold, with an impressive 8.60 kWh/day output per kW installed. Spring follows closely behind, producing 7.30 kWh/day. These seasons present ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production.
Autumn sees a moderate decrease in output, generating 4.97 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest production at 3.13 kWh/day, which is typical for locations in the Northern Hemisphere due to shorter days and lower sun angles.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed panel installations in Coarsegold, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 32 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the location's latitude and seasonal sun position changes.
Environmental Considerations
While Coarsegold generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Wildfire smoke: California's wildfire season can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency due to airborne particulates.
- Tree shading: The area's forested landscape may cast shadows on panels, particularly during winter months when the sun is lower in the sky.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these potential issues and ensure optimal solar energy production, consider the following measures:
1. Regular panel cleaning to remove dust and wildfire residue.
2. Strategic placement of panels to minimize shading from trees and structures, potentially including tree trimming where necessary.
3. Installing microinverters or power optimizers to reduce the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.
Overall, Coarsegold's climate and geographical location make it a suitable candidate for year-round solar energy production, with summer and spring offering the most favorable conditions.
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 Coarsegold
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.2218, Longitude: -119.7459 (Coarsegold, 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 Coarsegold, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Coarsegold, United States (Lat/Long 37.2218, -119.7459) 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 Coarsegold, 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 Coarsegold, 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 Coarsegold, 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 Coarsegold, 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 Coarsegold, United States
Coarsegold, located in Madera County, California, is situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The topography around Coarsegold is characterized by rolling hills, valleys, and gradually increasing elevation as you move eastward towards the higher mountains.
The landscape surrounding Coarsegold features a mix of oak woodlands, grasslands, and scattered coniferous forests. The terrain is generally undulating, with elevations ranging from about 2,000 to 3,000 feet above sea level in the immediate vicinity. As you move further east, the terrain becomes more rugged and mountainous, with steeper slopes and deeper valleys.
To the west of Coarsegold, the land gradually descends towards the San Joaquin Valley, becoming flatter and more suitable for agriculture. This transition zone between the mountains and the valley is often referred to as the Sierra foothills.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the best locations would likely be found to the west of Coarsegold, where the terrain becomes less hilly and more open. The following areas might be particularly suitable:
- The flatlands closer to the San Joaquin Valley, west and southwest of Coarsegold
- Open grassland areas with minimal tree cover in the lower foothills
- Gently sloping hillsides facing south or southwest, which would receive optimal sunlight throughout the day
These areas would be more suitable for large-scale solar installations because they offer more consistent terrain, better access for construction and maintenance, and fewer obstacles that could cast shadows on solar panels. Additionally, being at lower elevations, these areas typically experience less fog and cloud cover compared to the higher mountain regions, ensuring more consistent solar exposure throughout the year.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would need to consider factors beyond just topography, such as proximity to existing power infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and potential environmental impacts on the local ecosystem.
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: Thursday 26th of September 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.
