Solar PV Analysis of Inglewood, United States
Inglewood, California is a decent location for generating energy using solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. The amount of electricity you can produce from solar panels depends on the amount of sunlight they receive, which varies throughout the year due to changes in seasons. In summer and spring, when days are longer and there's more sunlight, you can expect to generate about 7.11 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and 6.84 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar power respectively. This decreases to around 4.85 kWh/day in autumn and even lower to 3.72 kWh/day in winter when days are shorter.
Therefore, the best times of year for generating solar energy at this location would be during the spring and summer months because these periods provide more hours of daylight compared with other seasons.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle facing south helps maximize total yearly production from your solar PV system.
However, there might be local factors that could affect how much power you're able to generate with your solar panels in Inglewood like weather conditions or environmental factors such as pollution or dust that could block sunlight from reaching your panels.
To ensure greater energy production despite these potential obstacles:
1) Regularly clean your panels: Dust or debris on your panels can reduce their efficiency by blocking sunlight.
2) Install them away from shade: Buildings or trees casting shadows on your panels will also reduce their output.
3) Consider adding a tracking system: Although it's more expensive than fixed systems, trackers allow your panels to follow the sun across the sky which increases their exposure time.
4) Monitor local weather patterns: Understanding when foggy or cloudy days typically occur can help you plan for those times when less electricity will be produced by adjusting usage accordingly if possible.
So while Inglewood is not an ideal place like say arid deserts where it's sunny most of the year, it is still a good location for solar energy generation with some adjustments and planning.
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 Inglewood
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.9651, Longitude: -118.3389 (Inglewood, 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 Inglewood, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Inglewood, United States (Lat/Long 33.9651, -118.3389) 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 Inglewood, 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 Inglewood, 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 Inglewood, 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 Inglewood, 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 Inglewood, United States
Inglewood is located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California. The topography around Inglewood is largely flat and urbanized, with the city itself being a part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. To its west lies the Pacific Ocean, while to its east lie more populous areas of LA County.
Given this relatively flat terrain and high levels of sunlight (the area receives an average of 284 sunny days per year), large-scale solar PV installations could be quite feasible in or around Inglewood. However, considering that it's a highly urbanized area with dense residential and commercial development, finding sufficient open space for such projects within city limits may be challenging.
The most suitable places nearby for large-scale solar PV would likely be less densely populated or undeveloped areas where land might be available at a lower cost. This could include industrial zones or brownfield sites that are not currently in use. Additionally, rooftops on large buildings such as warehouses or other commercial properties could potentially accommodate smaller scale but still significant solar installations.
It should also be noted that any potential sites would need to have good access to the power grid for energy transmission purposes. Moreover, environmental impact assessments would need to ensure minimal disruption to local ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
Lastly, specific regulations and policies regarding renewable energy projects vary widely by jurisdiction so these factors will also play a significant role in determining feasibility.
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 1st 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.
