Solar PV Analysis of Harbor City, United States
Harbor City, California, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. With its geographical position at 33.7987° N latitude and 118.2993° W longitude, this location benefits from abundant sunshine and mild temperatures, making it well-suited for solar PV installations.
The seasonal variation in solar energy output demonstrates the location's potential for consistent electricity generation. During the summer months, solar panels can produce an impressive 7.11 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 6.84 kWh/day, showcasing the region's strong solar potential during the warmer seasons.
Although autumn and winter see a decrease in energy production, the output remains relatively high compared to many other locations. Autumn yields 4.85 kWh/day, while winter still manages to produce 3.72 kWh/day per kilowatt of installed solar capacity. This indicates that Harbor City can maintain significant solar energy generation even during the cooler months.
Optimal Panel Placement
For fixed panel installations in Harbor City, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture throughout the year, taking into account the sun's changing position and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Peak Production Periods
The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Harbor City are during the spring and summer months, typically from April through September. During this period, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency and output.
Environmental Considerations
While Harbor City generally provides excellent conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Coastal fog: Being close to the Pacific Ocean, Harbor City may experience marine layer fog, particularly in the morning hours during late spring and early summer. This can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency.
- Air pollution: The Los Angeles metropolitan area, including Harbor City, can experience air quality issues that may slightly impact solar panel performance.
To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures when installing solar panels:
- Use high-quality, anti-reflective coatings on solar panels to maximize light absorption, even in foggy conditions.
- Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove any accumulated dust or pollutants from the panel surfaces.
- Consider microinverter or power optimizer technology to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.
Despite these minor considerations, Harbor City remains an excellent location for solar energy production, with its year-round sunshine and mild climate providing a solid foundation for sustainable and efficient solar power generation.
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 Harbor City
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.7987, Longitude: -118.2993 (Harbor 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 30° South in Harbor City, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Harbor City, United States (Lat/Long 33.7987, -118.2993) 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 Harbor 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 Harbor City, 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 Harbor 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 Harbor 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 Harbor City, United States
The area around Harbor City, located in Los Angeles County, California, has a varied topography typical of coastal Southern California. The landscape is characterized by a mix of flat, low-lying areas near the coast and gently rolling hills further inland.
Harbor City itself sits on relatively flat terrain, with elevations ranging from near sea level to about 100 feet above sea level. To the west, the land slopes gently towards the Pacific Ocean, with the Palos Verdes Peninsula rising more steeply to the southwest. This peninsula features higher elevations and more rugged terrain, with some areas reaching over 1,000 feet above sea level.
To the north and east of Harbor City, the land gradually rises into the low hills of the Los Angeles Basin. These hills are generally smooth and rounded, with elevations typically ranging from 200 to 500 feet above sea level. The San Gabriel Mountains, which are much higher and more rugged, can be seen in the distance to the northeast on clear days.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found in the flatter, more open spaces to the east and southeast of Harbor City. The regions around Carson, Wilmington, and parts of Long Beach offer expansive, relatively flat terrain that could accommodate large solar arrays. These areas benefit from consistent sunlight exposure and minimal shading from natural features or tall buildings.
However, it's important to note that much of this region is heavily urbanized, which may limit the availability of large, contiguous parcels of land for solar development. As a result, potential sites for large-scale solar PV might be found further inland, in less densely populated areas of Los Angeles County or neighboring counties where more open space is available. These could include parts of the Antelope Valley or the western Mojave Desert, which offer vast, flat landscapes with excellent solar resources.
When considering locations for solar PV installations, factors such as existing land use, proximity to power infrastructure, and local zoning regulations would also need to be taken into account alongside topographical considerations.
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: Wednesday 31st of July 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.
