Solar PV Analysis of Orange, United States
Orange, California is a pretty good place for solar power generation throughout the year. The energy produced by solar panels varies by season, with summer and spring being the best times for generation. In summer, you can expect about 7.85 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. In spring, it's slightly less at 7.07 kWh/day per kW. Autumn and winter produce less power due to shorter days and less sun exposure - about 5.26 kWh/day per kW in autumn and 3.88 kWh/day per kW in winter.
To get the most energy from your solar panels all year round in Orange, CA, they should be tilted at an angle of 30 degrees facing south.
There could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can generate from your solar panels here though these are not significant enough to stop you from installing one.
For instance:
1) Weather: While Orange has many sunny days which are great for solar power production, there might also be periods of heavy rain or fog which could reduce sunlight exposure on the panels.
2) Topography: If there are tall buildings or trees nearby that cast shadows on your panel for a significant part of the day this could reduce their effectiveness.
3) Dust & Debris: Dust accumulation on the surface of your solar panel can block sunlight hence reducing its efficiency.
However, these challenges can be managed:
1) Weather: You cannot control weather patterns but using high-quality panels with excellent performance even under cloudy conditions would help maximize output during such periods.
2) Topography: Carefully choosing where to install your panel will help avoid shadows as much as possible.
3) Dust & Debris: Regular cleaning will ensure dust does not accumulate on your panel surface over time thereby ensuring maximum light absorption all through.
In conclusion, while there are a few minor challenges, Orange, California is a great place for solar power generation throughout 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 Orange
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.7854, Longitude: -117.7948 (Orange, 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 Orange, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Orange, United States (Lat/Long 33.7854, -117.7948) 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 Orange, 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 Orange, 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 | 48° 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 Orange, 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 Orange, 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 Orange, United States
Orange, United States (specifically Orange, California) is located in a relatively flat area with some surrounding hills and mountains. The city is in the Los Angeles basin, which is characterized by a coastal plain with low-lying mountains and foothills. The Santa Ana Mountains are to the east of the city.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are typically preferred as they require less site preparation and are easier to install panels on. In this context, areas within the Los Angeles basin would likely be most suited for such installations. However, it's important to note that factors like land use restrictions, proximity to transmission lines and population centers (for connection to the grid), sunlight availability (solar irradiance), local climate conditions etc., also play crucial roles in determining suitable sites for large-scale solar PV.
California has a high potential for solar power given its sunny climate. Areas such as desert regions towards east (like Palm Springs area) could also be considered due their high sun exposure throughout year.
However it's essential that any development should take into consideration environmental impacts and land use conflicts - especially in ecologically sensitive areas like deserts where large scale solar farms can disrupt local ecosystems. Therefore detailed feasibility studies including environmental impact assessments would be necessary before deciding on specific 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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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 25th of February 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.
