Solar PV Analysis of North Hollywood, United States
North Hollywood, California, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable location for solar energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 34.2003 latitude and -118.4045 longitude, this area benefits from abundant sunshine and mild temperatures, making it well-suited for solar PV installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy output in North Hollywood varies across seasons, with summer being the most productive period. During the summer months, solar panels can generate an impressive 8.42 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely, with a daily output of 7.54 kWh/kW. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, yielding 5.40 kWh/day per kW. Winter, as expected, has the lowest output at 3.82 kWh/day per kW, but still provides a significant amount of energy.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
The ideal times for solar energy production in North Hollywood are from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and clearer skies contribute to peak solar panel efficiency. Even in winter, the region's mild climate ensures consistent energy generation, albeit at a reduced rate.
Panel Tilt Angle for Maximum Efficiency
For fixed panel installations in North Hollywood, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions, ensuring the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While North Hollywood generally provides excellent conditions for solar energy production, there are a few factors to consider:
- Occasional smog and air pollution from the greater Los Angeles area can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency.
- Infrequent Santa Ana winds may deposit dust on panels, temporarily decreasing their performance.
To mitigate these issues, regular panel cleaning and maintenance are recommended. Additionally, installing panels at a slight angle can help prevent dust accumulation. Some homeowners may opt for automated cleaning systems or dust-repellent coatings to maintain optimal panel efficiency.
Overall, North Hollywood's climate and geographical location make it an excellent choice for solar PV installations, with high energy yields throughout the year and only minor environmental challenges that can be easily addressed with proper planning 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 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 North Hollywood
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.2003, Longitude: -118.4045 (North Hollywood, 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 North Hollywood, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in North Hollywood, United States (Lat/Long 34.2003, -118.4045) 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 North Hollywood, 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 North Hollywood, 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 North Hollywood, 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 North Hollywood, 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 North Hollywood, United States
The topography around North Hollywood, located in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, is characterized by relatively flat terrain. This area is part of a broad, bowl-shaped valley surrounded by mountains. The San Fernando Valley floor, where North Hollywood sits, is mostly level with a gentle slope from north to south.
To the north of North Hollywood, you'll find the Santa Susana Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains, which form a dramatic backdrop to the valley. These mountain ranges rise steeply from the valley floor, creating a stark contrast to the flat urban landscape below. To the south and southeast, the Santa Monica Mountains separate the San Fernando Valley from the Los Angeles Basin and the Pacific Ocean.
Within North Hollywood itself and the immediate surrounding areas, there are few significant elevation changes. The terrain is primarily urban and suburban, with a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and some parks and open spaces. Any hills or slopes in this area are generally mild and gradual.
Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near North Hollywood, the most suitable areas would likely be found in the less developed regions to the north and northwest of the San Fernando Valley. These areas, closer to the foothills of the surrounding mountains, tend to have more open space and receive ample sunlight throughout the year.
Specifically, the following areas might be considered for large-scale solar PV projects:
- The northern parts of the San Fernando Valley, such as areas near Sylmar or Granada Hills, where there is more open land and fewer dense urban developments.
- The Antelope Valley, located further north beyond the San Gabriel Mountains, which is known for its expansive, flat terrain and high solar irradiance. This area already hosts several large solar farms.
- Portions of the Santa Clarita Valley to the northwest, where there may be suitable open spaces that receive abundant sunlight.
It's important to note that while these areas may be topographically suitable, any large-scale solar PV project would need to consider factors such as land ownership, environmental impact, grid connectivity, and local regulations. The proximity to the urban center of Los Angeles could make these locations attractive for energy production, but careful planning and approvals would be necessary.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 3rd of August 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.
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