Solar PV Analysis of Northridge, United States
Northridge, California is a fairly good place for solar energy production year-round. The amount of electricity that can be generated from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels changes with the seasons. In simple terms, the sunnier it is, the more power you'll get from your solar panels.
During summer, you can expect to generate around 8.42 units (kilowatt hours or kWh) of electricity per day for each kW of your installed solar capacity. This drops to about 5.40 kWh/day in autumn and further down to around 3.82 kWh/day in winter due to shorter days and less intense sunlight. Spring sees an increase again up to approximately 7.54 kWh/day per kW.
So if we're talking about the best times of year for generating solar energy at this location, summer and spring are ideal because they provide longer daylight hours and stronger sunlight intensity compared to autumn and winter.
If you're installing fixed panel installation at this location, tilting them at an angle facing 30 degrees South will help maximize their total yearly output as it aligns better with the path of the sun across the sky throughout different seasons.
Now let's talk about local factors that could affect solar production in Northridge:
1) Weather: Like any other places with a Mediterranean climate type, Northridge experiences some rainy days especially during winter which might reduce sunshine duration thus affecting power generation from your panels.
2) Air Quality: Northridge sometimes suffers from smoggy conditions which could potentially decrease sunlight reaching your panels hence reducing their efficiency.
3) Shade: Buildings or trees might cast shadows on your panels impeding their performance.
To prevent these issues:
1) For weather-related challenges like rain or fog – unfortunately there's not much one can do as these are natural occurrences.
2) To combat air quality issues - regular cleaning maintenance should be done on your panels so dust particles won't accumulate and block the sunlight.
3) If shading is a concern, you should choose an open area for your solar panel installation where there are no obstructions blocking the sun. In some cases, trimming tree branches might be necessary.
In conclusion, while Northridge isn't perfect for solar energy production due to some weather and environmental factors, it's still pretty good particularly during spring and summer. Proper maintenance and strategic placement of panels can also help optimize their performance.
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 Northridge
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.236, Longitude: -118.5235 (Northridge, 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 Northridge, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Northridge, United States (Lat/Long 34.236, -118.5235) 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 Northridge, 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 Northridge, 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 Northridge, 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 Northridge, 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 Northridge, United States
Northridge is located in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. The topography around Northridge is primarily flat with some gently rolling hills. It's surrounded by several mountain ranges including the Santa Monica Mountains to the south and the San Gabriel Mountains to the east.
This area receives a significant amount of sunshine throughout the year, making it well-suited for large-scale solar PV installations. The flat areas within and surrounding Northridge would be ideal for ground-mounted solar farms as they offer unobstructed access to sunlight.
Additionally, there are numerous rooftops on commercial and residential buildings which could accommodate rooftop solar panels. In particular, large commercial or industrial buildings with expansive flat roofs would be excellent locations.
Finally, undeveloped hilly areas may also be suitable for solar installation if properly designed and installed. However, these locations might pose more challenges due to potential shading issues or increased costs associated with difficult terrain.
It's important to note that any proposed project should undergo a detailed site assessment considering factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental impact considerations, grid connectivity options and potential shading from nearby structures or vegetation.
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: Tuesday 30th of April 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.
