Monrovia, California, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at latitude 34.1483 and longitude -118.0016, offers a favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's climate and geographical position contribute to its potential as a solar energy hub.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panel efficiency in Monrovia varies across seasons, with peak performance during summer months. The expected daily electricity output per kW of installed solar capacity is as follows: • Summer: 8.42 kWh/day • Spring: 7.54 kWh/day • Autumn: 5.40 kWh/day • Winter: 3.82 kWh/day These figures indicate that Monrovia experiences strong solar potential throughout most of the year, with a noticeable dip during winter months.

Optimal Solar Generation Periods

The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Monrovia are during summer and spring. These seasons offer longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, resulting in higher energy output. However, the relatively high production rates in autumn also contribute significantly to the overall annual energy generation.

Panel Tilt Angle for Maximum Efficiency

For fixed panel installations in Monrovia, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Monrovia generally provides excellent conditions for solar energy production, there are a few factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency: 1. Smog and air pollution: Being in the greater Los Angeles area, Monrovia can experience periods of poor air quality, which may slightly reduce solar irradiance reaching the panels. 2. Santa Ana winds: These strong, dry winds can carry dust and debris, potentially affecting panel performance if not properly maintained. To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is crucial. Installing panels at a slight angle can help with natural cleaning during rainfall. Additionally, using high-quality, dust-resistant panels can improve performance in dusty conditions. Overall, Monrovia's climate and geographical location make it an excellent choice for solar PV installations, with the potential for high energy production throughout most of the year.

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 Monrovia

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.1483, Longitude: -118.0016 (Monrovia, 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 Monrovia, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Monrovia, United States (Lat/Long 34.1483, -118.0016) 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 Monrovia, 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 Monrovia, 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	39° South in Autumn	49° 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 Monrovia, 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 Monrovia, 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 Monrovia, United States

The area around Monrovia, United States, located at latitude 34.1483 and longitude -118.0016, features a diverse and interesting topography. Situated at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County, California, Monrovia's landscape is characterized by a mix of urban development and natural features. The city itself lies on relatively flat terrain, gradually sloping upward as it approaches the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains to the north. These mountains rise dramatically from the urban landscape, creating a striking backdrop for the city. The San Gabriel Mountains are part of the Transverse Ranges and feature steep, rugged slopes with numerous canyons and ridges. To the south and east of Monrovia, the terrain becomes more level as it transitions into the San Gabriel Valley. This valley is a broad, relatively flat area surrounded by mountains and hills, making it an important population center in the region.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations for solar farms typically include flat or gently sloping terrain, ample sunlight exposure, and proximity to existing infrastructure. The San Gabriel Valley, extending to the south and east of Monrovia, offers promising potential for solar PV development. Its relatively flat terrain and open spaces provide ideal conditions for large-scale solar installations. The valley's climate, characterized by abundant sunshine and low precipitation, further enhances its suitability for solar energy production. Areas to the northeast of Monrovia, where the foothills begin to flatten out into more open terrain, might also be suitable for solar PV projects. However, care must be taken to avoid environmentally sensitive areas or locations with significant natural beauty. It's important to note that while the mountainous regions north of Monrovia receive ample sunlight, their steep and rugged terrain makes them less suitable for large-scale solar installations. The costs and environmental impact of developing such areas would likely outweigh the benefits. Any large-scale solar PV project in the region would need to carefully consider local zoning regulations, environmental impact assessments, and the proximity to existing power infrastructure. The most suitable locations would balance these factors while maximizing solar energy potential and minimizing negative impacts on the local ecosystem and community.

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.