Solar PV Analysis of Manteca, United States
Manteca, California, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a generally favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 37.778 and longitude -121.2316 provides ample sunlight for photovoltaic (PV) systems, though with notable seasonal variations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy generation in Manteca follows a predictable pattern aligned with the seasons. Summer stands out as the peak period, with an impressive daily output of 8.63 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, producing 7.53 kWh/day. Autumn sees a significant drop to 4.90 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.04 kWh/day.
These figures highlight the substantial difference between summer and winter production, with summer generating nearly three times the energy of winter days. This variance is primarily due to the changing angle of the sun and daylight hours throughout the year.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Manteca, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 32 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.
Environmental Considerations
While Manteca's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Fog: The Central Valley, including Manteca, can experience dense fog, particularly in winter months. This may temporarily reduce solar output during affected periods.
- Dust and agricultural particulates: Given the area's agricultural activities, airborne dust can accumulate on solar panels, potentially reducing efficiency.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these environmental challenges and ensure optimal solar production, consider the following measures:
1. Regular cleaning: Implement a routine cleaning schedule for solar panels to remove dust and debris, maintaining peak efficiency.
2. Anti-soiling coatings: Apply specialized coatings to panel surfaces to minimize dust accumulation and make cleaning easier.
3. Microinverters or power optimizers: These technologies can help maintain system performance even when some panels are partially shaded or affected by fog.
Overall, Manteca's location provides an excellent opportunity for solar energy production, with strong performance particularly from spring through autumn. While winter months see reduced output, the annual average remains favorable for solar PV installations.
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 Manteca
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.778, Longitude: -121.2316 (Manteca, 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 32° South in Manteca, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Manteca, United States (Lat/Long 37.778, -121.2316) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Manteca, 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 Manteca, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° 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 Manteca, 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 Manteca, 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 Manteca, United States
The topography around Manteca, California, is characterized by relatively flat terrain. This area is part of the vast Central Valley of California, which is known for its expansive, level landscapes. The city of Manteca and its surrounding regions sit on what was once the floodplain of the San Joaquin River, resulting in rich, fertile soil that has made this area ideal for agriculture.
To the east of Manteca, the land gradually begins to rise as it approaches the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. However, this elevation change is subtle and occurs over many miles. To the west, the terrain remains predominantly flat as it extends towards the San Francisco Bay Area.
The flatness of the landscape around Manteca is interrupted by a few subtle features. There are some low-lying areas and shallow depressions that may collect water during rainy seasons. Additionally, there are man-made features such as irrigation canals and levees that crisscross the region, serving the agricultural needs of the area.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. The flat terrain of the Central Valley provides numerous advantages for solar energy development. Areas to the east and southeast of Manteca would be particularly well-suited for solar farms due to their combination of level ground and high sun exposure.
The lands between Manteca and cities like Modesto or Turlock could be ideal locations for solar PV projects. These areas often have large tracts of open space that are not prime agricultural land, making them suitable for alternative uses like solar energy production. The consistent flatness of the terrain in these regions would minimize the need for extensive land preparation, reducing installation costs.
It's worth noting that while the topography is favorable, other factors such as proximity to electrical infrastructure, local zoning laws, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the most suitable locations for large-scale solar PV installations in the vicinity of Manteca.
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: Friday 18th of October 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.
