Solar PV Analysis of Folsom, United States
Folsom, California is a fairly decent location for generating solar energy year-round, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity you can generate with solar panels changes throughout the year. In summer and spring, you can expect to generate quite a bit of energy - 8.49 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in the summer and 7.50 kWh per day in the spring for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. However, in autumn and winter, that number drops significantly to 4.66 kWh/day and 2.82 kWh/day respectively.
So if you're planning on relying solely on solar power for your electricity needs at this location, keep in mind that your production will be lower during fall and winter months.
For optimal results from your solar panel installation at this location, you should tilt them at an angle of 33 degrees facing southward. This angle has been found to maximise total yearly production from the panels.
As far as environmental factors go that might affect your ability to generate power with solar PVs here: Folsom does have some weather patterns which could impact efficiency such as cloudy or rainy days especially during winter season when there's already less sunlight available due to shorter daylight hours compared to other seasons; however these are not significant enough impediments since there are many sunny days throughout the year too.
To mitigate these potential issues when installing your system: You can consider using tracking mounts instead of fixed ones for your panels so they move with sun’s position across sky maximizing exposure; also regular cleaning of panels would help maintain their efficiency by preventing build-up of dust or debris which might block sunlight partially.
Moreover having a battery storage system would allow storing excess power produced during peak times like summer afternoons for use later when production is low such as early mornings or evenings thus ensuring stable supply regardless of varying weather conditions or time-of-day fluctuations.
In conclusion, while not perfect, Folsom is a fairly good location for solar power generation with some considerations to be made for seasonal and weather-related variations.
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 Folsom
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.6711, Longitude: -121.1495 (Folsom, 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 33° South in Folsom, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Folsom, United States (Lat/Long 38.6711, -121.1495) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Folsom, 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 Folsom, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 31° 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 Folsom, 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 Folsom, 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 Folsom, United States
Folsom, United States is located in the state of California. The topography around Folsom is characterized by a mix of flat lands and hilly areas. The city itself is situated in the Sacramento Valley near the Sierra Nevada foothills.
The terrain includes some plains which are suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. Areas with less vegetation and fewer obstructions such as buildings or trees would be ideal for this purpose. Also, regions that have a high amount of annual sunshine would be most appropriate for solar energy production.
In terms of specific locations, open spaces in the Sacramento Valley could potentially be good spots for solar farms due to their relatively flat terrain and abundant sunlight throughout the year. Moreover, rural or semi-rural areas around Folsom where land might not be as expensive or heavily developed could also serve as potential sites.
However, it's important to note that while topographical suitability is crucial, other factors like local regulations, environmental impact assessments and grid connectivity also play key roles in determining whether an area can host large-scale solar PV projects.
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 18th 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.
