Solar PV Analysis of Foster City, United States
Foster City, California, located in the United States, is a fairly good place for year-round solar energy production. However, it's not perfect. The amount of energy you can generate from solar panels changes with the seasons due to varying sunlight levels.
In summer and spring, you can expect more energy generation - around 7.04 and 6.79 kilowatt-hours per day respectively for each kilowatt of solar panels installed. This is because these seasons generally have longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
On the other hand, during autumn and winter, the amount of energy generated drops to about 4.36 and 3.06 kilowatt-hours per day respectively per kilowatt of installed solar panel capacity because there are fewer daylight hours and less direct sunlight.
To maximize your yearly output from your solar panels in Foster City, California, you should tilt them at an angle of approximately 33 degrees facing southward (if we're talking about fixed panel installations). This angle allows the panels to capture as much sunlight as possible throughout different times of the year.
As far as local factors that might affect your solar production go: Foster City is known for its moderate climate with mild winters which could be beneficial for consistent year-round production although foggy conditions common in this area may reduce efficiency somewhat on certain days by blocking sunlight from reaching the panels.
Another potential issue could be that Foster City is built on engineered landfill which makes it flat but potentially unstable ground - this could potentially affect installation or long-term stability of larger scale installations or those not properly anchored down.
Preventative measures would include careful site analysis before installation to ensure secure anchoring systems are used if necessary; also consider using higher efficiency PV modules able to perform better under sub-optimal light conditions such as when it's foggy or overcast; regular cleaning/maintenance can also help keep performance high by ensuring maximum light absorption isn't impeded by dirt or debris on the panels.
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 Foster City
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.5549, Longitude: -122.2708 (Foster City, 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 Foster City, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Foster City, United States (Lat/Long 37.5549, -122.2708) 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 Foster City, 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 Foster City, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 52° South in Winter | 30° 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 Foster City, 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 Foster City, 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 Foster City, United States
Foster City is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. It is a flatland that was built on engineered landfill in marshy terrain around the San Francisco Bay. The city itself is surrounded by water bodies - primarily the San Francisco Bay to the east and numerous lagoons inland.
The topography of Foster City would not be ideal for large-scale solar PV installations due to its low-lying, flat nature and high-density residential and commercial development. However, there are still opportunities for rooftop solar installations on homes, businesses, and other buildings.
For large-scale solar PV projects, areas with more open land would be more suitable. Looking at nearby regions:
1. East of Foster City: The Central Valley (including areas like Tracy or Stockton) could be a good option as it has vast expanses of relatively flat agricultural land with high sunlight exposure.
2. South of Foster City: Areas such as Gilroy or Morgan Hill have more open space that could potentially accommodate larger scale solar farms.
3. North of Foster City: Regions like Sonoma County or Napa Valley also have significant open spaces which can host large-scale PV systems.
However, any location choice should take into account factors such as local zoning laws, environmental impact assessments (especially important for agricultural or natural lands), grid connectivity infrastructure among others.
It's worth noting that California has some of the most aggressive renewable energy goals in the US and provides various incentives which can make solar projects financially attractive despite potential geographical limitations.
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 3rd of April 2023
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.
