Solar PV Analysis of Compton, United States
Compton, California, located in the United States, offers a favorable environment for solar energy generation through photovoltaic (PV) systems. Situated in the Northern Sub Tropics at latitude 33.8778 and longitude -118.2137, this location experiences substantial solar potential throughout the year.
The seasonal variation in solar energy production is notable, with summer being the most productive period. During the summer months, solar panels can generate an impressive 7.11 kWh of electricity per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind, with a daily output of 6.84 kWh/kW. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, yielding 4.85 kWh/kW daily, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.72 kWh/kW per day.
Optimal Solar Panel Installation
For those considering a fixed panel installation in Compton, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Peak Production Periods
The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Compton are during the summer and spring seasons. These periods offer longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, resulting in significantly higher energy yields. However, it's worth noting that even during the less productive autumn and winter months, the location still provides a reasonable amount of solar energy, making year-round solar power generation viable.
Environmental Considerations
While Compton generally presents favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Air pollution: Being part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Compton may experience occasional smog or air pollution, which can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency.
- Coastal influence: The proximity to the Pacific Ocean might lead to occasional marine layer or fog, particularly in the mornings, which could temporarily affect solar output.
To mitigate these factors, regular cleaning of solar panels is recommended to remove any accumulated pollutants or salt residue. Additionally, installing panels at the optimal angle and using high-quality, anti-reflective coatings can help maximize energy capture even under less-than-ideal conditions.
Overall, Compton's location provides an excellent opportunity for solar energy generation, with its abundant sunshine and mild climate contributing to substantial year-round solar potential.
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 Compton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.8778, Longitude: -118.2137 (Compton, 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 Compton, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Compton, United States (Lat/Long 33.8778, -118.2137) 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 Compton, 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 Compton, 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 Compton, 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 Compton, 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 Compton, United States
The topography around Compton, California, is primarily characterized by flat, low-lying terrain. This area is part of the Los Angeles Basin, a broad coastal plain that extends from the Pacific Ocean inland towards the San Gabriel Mountains. The elevation in Compton is generally low, averaging around 70 feet (21 meters) above sea level.
The landscape surrounding Compton is predominantly urban and suburban, with a dense network of streets, residential neighborhoods, and industrial areas. Despite the urban development, the underlying topography remains relatively flat, a remnant of the area's geological history as a flood plain formed by sediment from nearby rivers and streams.
To the north and east of Compton, the terrain gradually begins to rise as it approaches the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. However, this change in elevation is quite gradual and occurs over many miles. To the south and west, the land remains flat as it extends towards the coast, with some areas even dipping slightly below sea level in places like the Dominguez Gap Wetlands.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat terrain of the Los Angeles Basin offers several potential locations. However, due to the dense urban development in and around Compton, the most suitable areas for such projects would likely be found further inland, towards the eastern edges of Los Angeles County and into San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
These inland areas, particularly in the Antelope Valley and Mojave Desert regions, offer several advantages for solar PV installations:
- They have vast expanses of flat, open land with minimal shading from natural features or buildings.
- The climate in these areas is characterized by abundant sunshine and low precipitation, ideal for solar energy generation.
- There is less competition for land use compared to the densely populated coastal regions.
- The higher elevation and clearer air in these desert areas can contribute to improved solar panel efficiency.
While these locations are not in the immediate vicinity of Compton, they represent the most practical options for large-scale solar PV projects in Southern California, balancing the need for suitable terrain, favorable climate conditions, and available land area.
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: Monday 14th of October 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.
