Granite Bay, California, located in the United States, offers a generally favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy generation in Granite Bay, with an impressive daily output of 8.49 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, producing 7.47 kWh per day. These seasons provide excellent conditions for maximizing solar energy production.

Autumn sees a moderate decrease in solar output, generating 4.60 kWh per day. Winter experiences the lowest production, with 2.75 kWh per day. Despite the reduced output, Granite Bay still maintains a reasonable level of solar energy generation even during the colder months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Granite Bay, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 33 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Granite Bay generally provides favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

• Wildfire smoke: California's wildfire season can occasionally impact air quality, potentially reducing solar panel efficiency.
• Fog: The nearby Sacramento Valley can experience fog, which may temporarily decrease solar output during certain times of the year.

To mitigate these factors, regular panel cleaning and maintenance are essential. Additionally, installing a monitoring system can help track performance and identify any unexpected drops in energy production.

Conclusion

Overall, Granite Bay offers an ideal location for solar PV installations, with strong performance throughout most of the year. The significant contrast between summer and winter output highlights the importance of proper system sizing to meet year-round energy needs. With appropriate installation techniques and maintenance practices, solar energy can be a reliable and efficient power source for residents and businesses in this California community.

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 Granite Bay

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.7632, Longitude: -121.1638 (Granite Bay, 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 Granite Bay, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Granite Bay, United States (Lat/Long 38.7632, -121.1638) 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 Granite Bay, 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 Granite Bay, 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	43° 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 Granite Bay, 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 Granite Bay, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Granite Bay, United States

The topography around Granite Bay, California, is characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys typical of the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This area, located northeast of Sacramento, features a mix of open grasslands, oak woodlands, and scattered granite outcroppings that give the region its name. To the west of Granite Bay, the terrain gradually flattens out as it transitions into the Sacramento Valley. This area is predominantly made up of low-lying plains with rich, fertile soil. Moving eastward from Granite Bay, the landscape becomes more rugged and varied, with increasing elevation and steeper hillsides as one approaches the Sierra Nevada mountains. The area surrounding Granite Bay is bisected by the American River and its tributaries, which have carved out scenic canyons and valleys over millions of years. Folsom Lake, a large reservoir formed by damming the American River, dominates the landscape to the east of Granite Bay, creating a significant water feature in the region.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Granite Bay that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have relatively flat terrain, ample sunshine, and minimal environmental or land-use conflicts. The areas to the west and southwest of Granite Bay, extending into the Sacramento Valley, offer the most promising potential for large-scale solar PV projects. These areas feature vast stretches of level or gently sloping land that receive abundant sunshine throughout the year. The agricultural lands in this region, particularly those that are less productive or have been taken out of cultivation, could be well-suited for solar development. Specific locations that might be considered include the open spaces between Roseville and Lincoln to the northwest of Granite Bay, and the areas south of Folsom and east of Rancho Cordova. These regions offer large, contiguous parcels of land with good solar exposure and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure. It's important to note that while these areas may be topographically suitable, any large-scale solar development would need to consider factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental impact assessments, and community acceptance. Additionally, care should be taken to avoid prime agricultural lands and sensitive habitats, focusing instead on areas that can accommodate solar installations with minimal disruption to existing land uses and ecosystems.

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!

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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.