Mission Viejo, California, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 33.6124° N latitude and 117.6401° W longitude, this location experiences varying levels of solar energy production across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Energy Production

Solar panel efficiency in Mission Viejo fluctuates with the changing seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, generating an impressive 7.85 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 7.07 kWh/day, while autumn sees a moderate decrease to 5.26 kWh/day. Winter, as expected, produces the least amount of energy at 3.88 kWh/day per kW installed.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The extended daylight hours and clearer skies from late spring through early fall make these months ideal for solar energy production in Mission Viejo. The period from May to September is particularly favorable, with peak generation occurring in June and July. However, even during the less productive winter months, the area still receives a substantial amount of sunlight, allowing for consistent energy generation year-round.

Panel Installation Considerations

For maximum year-round solar energy production in Mission Viejo, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 30 degrees facing south. This optimal angle ensures that the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the sun's changing position in the sky across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Mission Viejo generally provides excellent conditions for solar energy production, there are a few factors that could potentially impact efficiency:

• Coastal fog: Being relatively close to the Pacific coast, Mission Viejo can experience marine layer fog, especially during summer mornings. This may temporarily reduce solar output during affected hours.
• Santa Ana winds: These strong, dry winds can carry dust and debris, potentially reducing panel efficiency if allowed to accumulate.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these environmental factors and ensure optimal solar energy production, consider the following preventative measures during installation:

• Regular cleaning: Implement a routine cleaning schedule to remove any dust or debris deposited by Santa Ana winds or other sources.
• Microinverters or power optimizers: These technologies can help minimize the impact of temporary shading caused by coastal fog on overall system performance.

In conclusion, Mission Viejo's climate and geographical location make it an excellent choice for solar energy production throughout the year, with only minor environmental factors to consider during installation and maintenance.

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 3008 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 Mission Viejo

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.6124, Longitude: -117.6401 (Mission Viejo, 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 Mission Viejo, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mission Viejo, United States (Lat/Long 33.6124, -117.6401) 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 Mission Viejo, 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 Mission Viejo, 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
17° South in Summer	38° South in Autumn	48° South in Winter	26° 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 Mission Viejo, 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 Mission Viejo, 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 Mission Viejo, United States

Mission Viejo, located in Orange County, California, is situated in an area with diverse topography. The city itself is nestled in the Saddleback Valley, which is part of the larger Santa Ana Mountains region. The landscape around Mission Viejo is characterized by rolling hills, steep canyons, and flat valleys. To the east of Mission Viejo, the terrain becomes more rugged as it transitions into the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. These mountains rise steeply, with some peaks reaching over 5,000 feet in elevation. The western slopes of these mountains are covered in chaparral vegetation and offer panoramic views of the surrounding area. To the west and southwest of Mission Viejo, the land gradually slopes down towards the Pacific Ocean. This coastal plain is more level and urbanized, with a mix of residential and commercial development. The coastline itself, about 10 miles from Mission Viejo, features beautiful beaches and dramatic cliffs. North of Mission Viejo, the topography is a mix of gentle hills and flat areas, with several small valleys and canyons interspersed throughout. This region is home to other suburban communities and some remaining patches of open space.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Mission Viejo for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play, including available land, sun exposure, and proximity to existing infrastructure. Some potential areas that might be suitable include: The eastern foothills: The undeveloped areas in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains could offer good potential for solar farms. These locations typically receive ample sunlight and have less urban development, providing more space for large installations. Inland valleys: Some of the flatter, open areas in the inland valleys to the north and northeast of Mission Viejo might be suitable for solar PV projects. These areas often have good sun exposure and may be easier to develop than more rugged terrain. Former agricultural lands: Any remaining agricultural lands in the broader region that are no longer in use could be repurposed for solar energy production. These areas are typically flat and already cleared, making them potentially ideal for solar panel installation. It's important to note that while these areas may have suitable topography for solar PV, other factors such as local zoning laws, environmental considerations, and grid connectivity would need to be carefully evaluated before any large-scale solar project could be implemented.

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.