Solar PV Analysis of Occidental, United States
The location at Occidental, California is relatively good for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. The amount of electricity produced by each kilowatt of installed solar varies with the seasons but is generally reasonable.
During summer, you can expect to generate around 8.35 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of installed solar. Spring also offers a high output at about 7.42 kWh/day/kW. However, during autumn and winter, the daily output drops to around 4.54 and 2.91 kWh/day/kW respectively due to shorter days and less intense sunlight.
Given these figures, it's clear that summer and spring are ideal times of year for generating solar power in this location due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
When installing a fixed panel system here, tilting the panels at an angle of approximately 32 degrees towards the south would maximize total yearly production from your PV system; this aligns them well with the sun’s path across the sky throughout different seasons.
As far as local factors which could impede solar production in Occidental are concerned - there may be some issues such as fog or cloud cover which can reduce sunlight exposure on certain days or periods within a year; however, these aren't constant issues so their impact isn't drastically significant overall.
Preventative measures that can help ensure greater energy production despite these environmental factors include regular cleaning and maintenance of your panels to remove any dust or debris that might block sunlight reaching them; using micro-inverters instead of string inverters can also help optimize performance on cloudy days since they allow each panel to operate independently rather than being affected by others' performance in case part of your array is shaded while other parts are not.
Lastly, it's important when planning installation to avoid areas where shadows from nearby trees or buildings might fall on your panels - especially during peak sun hours - as this can significantly reduce their output.
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 Occidental
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.4117, Longitude: -122.9918 (Occidental, 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 Occidental, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Occidental, United States (Lat/Long 38.4117, -122.9918) 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 Occidental, 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 Occidental, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 52° South in Winter | 31° 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 Occidental, 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 Occidental, 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 Occidental, United States
Occidental, United States is located in the state of California. The topography of the area is characterized by a mix of hilly and flat terrains. Occidental is part of the Sonoma County, which features rolling hills, dense redwood forests and vineyards.
As for large-scale solar PV installations, it would be ideal to find relatively flat areas with minimal shading from trees or other structures. Areas near Occidental that might be suitable include Petaluma and Santa Rosa valleys which are less forested and have more agricultural land which could potentially be converted to solar farms.
However, considering the local climate is also important as Occidental has a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers. While there's plenty of sun during summer months, winter can bring heavy rainfall leading to fewer hours of sunlight.
Therefore, while there may be physical space for large-scale solar PV systems in these areas around Occidental, developers would need to consider seasonal variations in sunlight availability when planning their projects. It's recommended that a detailed site-specific study should be conducted before proceeding with such an investment decision.
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: Thursday 27th of June 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.
