Ontario, California, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 34.0349 and longitude -117.6185 provides ample sunlight for photovoltaic (PV) systems to generate electricity efficiently.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Ontario varies across seasons, with summer being the most productive period. During summer months, a 1 kW solar installation can generate an impressive 8.39 kWh of electricity per day. Spring follows closely, with a daily output of 7.71 kWh. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, yielding 5.48 kWh per day. Winter experiences the lowest output at 3.91 kWh daily, but still maintains a respectable level of energy generation.

Optimal Installation Angle

For fixed-panel solar installations in Ontario, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy 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.

Prime Generation Periods

The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Ontario are during the summer and spring months. These seasons offer longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, resulting in peak energy production. However, the city's climate allows for significant solar energy generation throughout the year, even during the less productive autumn and winter months.

Environmental Considerations

While Ontario's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

• Dust and air pollution: The city's location in the Inland Empire region can lead to occasional dust accumulation on solar panels, potentially reducing their efficiency.
• Rare extreme weather events: Though infrequent, severe storms or Santa Ana winds could pose a risk to solar installations.

To mitigate these factors, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is recommended. Additionally, using high-quality, weather-resistant mounting systems can help protect against extreme weather events. Despite these minor considerations, Ontario remains an excellent location for solar energy production, with its abundant sunshine and favorable climate providing a solid foundation for sustainable energy generation.

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 Ontario

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.0349, Longitude: -117.6185 (Ontario, 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 Ontario, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ontario, United States (Lat/Long 34.0349, -117.6185) 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 Ontario, 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 Ontario, 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 Ontario, 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 Ontario, 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 Ontario, United States

The topography around Ontario, United States, located at latitude 34.0349 and longitude -117.6185, is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from urban and suburban areas to more rugged terrain. Ontario itself is situated in the Inland Empire region of Southern California, nestled in the relatively flat Cucamonga Valley. This valley is part of a larger alluvial plain that extends from the base of the San Gabriel Mountains to the north. To the north of Ontario, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly as it approaches the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. These mountains, part of the Transverse Ranges, rise dramatically from the valley floor, creating a striking backdrop to the city. The elevation increases rapidly in this direction, with some peaks reaching over 10,000 feet above sea level. To the south and east of Ontario, the landscape remains relatively flat, consisting of a mix of urban development and agricultural lands. This area is part of the broader Los Angeles Basin, which extends towards the Pacific coast. The terrain in these directions is generally suitable for urban expansion and agriculture due to its level nature. Heading west from Ontario, the topography gradually becomes more varied, with low hills and small valleys interspersed among the developed areas. This region transitions into the Chino Hills, a series of rolling hills that separate the Inland Empire from the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Areas Suitable 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 would combine ample sunlight exposure, relatively flat terrain, and minimal conflict with existing urban development or ecologically sensitive areas. The desert regions to the east and northeast of Ontario present some of the most promising opportunities for large-scale solar PV projects. Areas such as the Mojave Desert, located about 50-100 miles from Ontario, offer vast expanses of flat, sun-drenched land that receive little annual rainfall. These characteristics make them ideal for solar energy production. Closer to Ontario, some of the less developed areas in San Bernardino County to the east and northeast could potentially accommodate large solar installations. These areas often feature flat or gently sloping terrain and receive abundant sunshine throughout the year. It's worth noting that while the immediate vicinity of Ontario is heavily urbanized, there may be opportunities for smaller-scale solar projects on rooftops, parking lots, and other developed areas. However, for truly large-scale installations, looking further afield to the less populated desert regions would likely yield the most suitable locations.

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.