Quincy, California, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers variable conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar production potential, which is important to consider when planning a solar installation.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy output at this location shows marked seasonal differences. Summer is the most productive season, generating approximately 8.48kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 7.18kWh/day. Production drops considerably in autumn to 4.60kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest output at just 2.70kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

This pattern indicates that Quincy experiences strong solar potential during the warmer months (spring and summer), with significantly reduced capacity during the colder months, particularly winter. The nearly threefold difference between summer and winter production highlights the seasonal variability at this location.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Quincy, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to optimize the annual solar energy capture, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the specific latitude of this location.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Quincy:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can significantly reduce production by covering panels, contributing to the already low winter output.
• The area's location in a mountainous region (Sierra Nevada foothills) may experience morning or evening shading depending on the specific installation site.
• Forest fire smoke during California's fire season can reduce solar irradiance, particularly in late summer and autumn months.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, consider implementing these strategies:

• Install panels at a steeper angle than the optimal 34 degrees if winter production is particularly important, as this helps shed snow more effectively.
• Incorporate snow removal plans for winter months, potentially including accessible panel placement for manual clearing.
• Conduct a thorough shade analysis before installation to avoid locations with mountain or tree shading during peak production hours.
• Consider including panel cleaning in maintenance schedules, particularly after fire season when ash deposits may accumulate.

With proper planning and mitigation strategies, a solar installation in Quincy can effectively capitalize on the strong spring and summer production to offset the significantly reduced winter output.

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 Quincy, California

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.9368, Longitude: -120.9465 (Quincy, California, 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 34° South in Quincy, California, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Quincy, California, United States (Lat/Long 39.9368, -120.9465) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Quincy, California, 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 Quincy, California, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
23° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	54° South in Winter	32° 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 Quincy, California, 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 Quincy, California, 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 Quincy, California, United States

The topography around Quincy, California presents a diverse landscape characterized by mountainous terrain, valleys, and significant elevation changes. Nestled within Plumas County in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Quincy sits at an elevation of approximately 3,400 feet (1,040 meters) above sea level. The town is situated in American Valley, a relatively flat basin surrounded by steep mountains that rise dramatically from the valley floor. To the west and southwest of Quincy, the terrain climbs toward the Bucks Lake Wilderness area, with peaks reaching over 7,000 feet. The eastern side features the dramatic rise of the Sierra Nevada mountains, with several summits exceeding 6,000-7,000 feet in elevation. To the north lies the volcanic landscapes of the southern Cascade Range, while the southern approach to Quincy follows the North Fork of the Feather River, which has carved deep canyons through the mountainous terrain.

Topographical Features

The immediate surroundings of Quincy include the American Valley, which provides some of the only relatively flat terrain in the region. This valley, formed by ancient glacial and alluvial processes, is approximately 5 miles long and 2 miles wide, offering a stark contrast to the surrounding mountainous landscape. The Spanish Creek and its tributaries meander through this valley before joining the North Fork of the Feather River. The mountains surrounding Quincy are heavily forested, primarily with coniferous trees including ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and incense cedar. These forests cover much of the mountain slopes, with tree lines extending to approximately 6,000-7,000 feet depending on aspect and local conditions.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas near Quincy suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) development, several factors must be taken into account, including terrain flatness, aspect (direction the land faces), shading from mountains, and accessibility. The American Valley itself presents the most immediately promising area for solar PV development. Its relatively flat terrain reduces construction costs and complexity compared to mountainous alternatives. The valley floor receives good solar exposure, particularly in its central and southern portions where shading from surrounding mountains is minimized during winter months when the sun is lower in the southern sky. Several miles south of Quincy, the expanded valleys along Highway 70 following the North Fork of the Feather River offer additional potential sites. Though narrower than American Valley, these areas provide flat to gently sloping terrain with favorable southern exposure in many sections. East of Quincy, certain bench-like plateaus on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada might be suitable, particularly those with southwestern aspects that maximize afternoon sun exposure. However, these areas would require careful evaluation for road access and grid connectivity. The region approximately 20-25 miles east of Quincy, where the terrain begins to transition toward the Sierra Valley, offers another potential zone for solar development. This area features more open terrain with fewer tall trees to cast shadows, though winter snow accumulation would need consideration in any development plans.

Constraints and Considerations

Despite these potential areas, the mountainous nature of the region creates significant constraints for large-scale solar development. The steep terrain throughout much of the area limits suitable flat spaces needed for efficient panel installation. Many slopes face north, northeast, or northwest, reducing their solar gain potential significantly. Forest cover presents another challenge, as extensive tree clearing would be necessary for many potential sites, raising both environmental concerns and project costs. Additionally, the higher elevation areas experience substantial winter snowfall, which could impact solar production and require robust panel mounting systems capable of withstanding snow loads. The most practical approach for large-scale solar development near Quincy would likely focus on the American Valley and similar lower-elevation valley floors that combine favorable solar exposure with reduced snow accumulation and existing infrastructure access. These areas represent the best balance of topographical suitability and practical development considerations in this mountainous region.

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.