Solar PV Analysis of Colton, United States
Colton, California is a pretty good spot for generating energy through solar panels throughout the year. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar varies with the seasons, but it's relatively high overall.
In simple terms, during summer you can expect to generate around 8.37 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar you have installed. In autumn, this drops slightly to about 5.54 kWh/day per kW; in winter it's lower still at approximately 3.97 kWh/day per kW; and in spring it increases again to around 7.72 kWh/day per kW.
To maximize your total year-round production from your solar panels in Colton, you should ideally tilt them at an angle of 30 degrees facing South if they're fixed installations.
However, there might be some local factors that could affect how much energy your solar panels produce here. For example, weather conditions like cloud cover or dust storms could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels and hence their output.
Also note that any large buildings or trees nearby that cast shadows on your panels will also decrease their productivity - so make sure to install them somewhere with clear access to sunlight as much as possible throughout the day and across all seasons.
As for preventative measures against these potential issues: regular cleaning would help keep dust or dirt from building up on the surface of your panels which otherwise might block sunlight and thus reduce their efficiency; trimming any overhanging branches or removing obstructions that cause shading would also be beneficial; finally installing devices like trackers which allow the panel orientation follow sun’s movement may increase productivity but this comes with additional costs too.
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 Colton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.0284, Longitude: -117.2872 (Colton, 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 Colton, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Colton, United States (Lat/Long 34.0284, -117.2872) 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 Colton, 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 Colton, 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 Colton, 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 Colton, 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 Colton, United States
Colton, California is located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. The topography around Colton is relatively flat with gentle rolling hills. To the north and east are mountain ranges including the San Bernardino Mountains and San Gabriel Mountains.
The climate in Colton area is Mediterranean, characterized by hot summers and mild winters with plenty of sunshine throughout the year. This makes it an ideal location for solar PV installations.
Large-scale solar PV would be most suitable in areas that have a lot of open space with little to no shading from trees or buildings, such as agricultural fields or industrial zones. Areas to consider could include undeveloped land to the south and west of Colton, where there appears to be less urban development.
However, any plans for large-scale solar must also take into account other factors like access to transmission lines, environmental impact assessments and local regulations regarding land use.
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 4th of June 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.
