Solar PV Analysis of Pacoima, United States
Pacoima, California, which is in the Northern Sub Tropics of the United States, has a good potential for generating solar power throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels changes with each season due to variations in sunlight intensity and duration.
In summer, when days are longest and sunshine is plentiful, you could expect about 8.42 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels. In spring, this number would be around 7.54 kWh/day per kW installed.
During autumn and winter when days are shorter and there's less sunlight available, production drops to about 5.4 kWh/day per kW installed in autumn and further down to approximately 3.82 kWh/day per kW installed during winter.
To maximize yearly energy production from solar panels at this location they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 30 degrees facing southwards.
As for local factors that might affect solar production - Pacoima generally enjoys a lot of sunny days which is great for producing solar power but it also experiences some foggy conditions due to its coastal location which could reduce the efficiency of your panels on those particular days.
Additionally, dust or dirt accumulation on your panel surfaces can block sunlight hence reducing their effectiveness over time; regular cleaning would help prevent this problem though.
Also worth noting is that while temperatures in Pacoima can get high during summer months; excessive heat can actually decrease the efficiency of most types of photovoltaic cells used in making these panels so providing some sort cooling system or ensuring adequate ventilation around your installation might prove beneficial especially during these hotter periods.
Lastly remember that shading from nearby buildings or trees could also potentially obstruct direct sunlight reaching your panel surfaces thereby affecting their output; make sure therefore to position them such that they're free from any such obstructions as much as possible.
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 Pacoima
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.2529, Longitude: -118.418 (Pacoima, 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 Pacoima, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pacoima, United States (Lat/Long 34.2529, -118.418) 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 Pacoima, 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 Pacoima, 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 Pacoima, 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 Pacoima, 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 Pacoima, United States
Pacoima is located in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. The topography around Pacoima is characterized by relatively flat terrain with some surrounding hills and mountains. To the north and northwest are the San Gabriel Mountains, while to the south and southwest lie more urbanized areas of Los Angeles.
The area's climate is Mediterranean with hot summers and mild winters, making it a good location for solar PV installations. However, due to its urban nature, large-scale ground-mounted solar farms may not be feasible within Pacoima itself due to lack of available land space.
Areas most suited for largescale solar PV would likely be further north or northeast towards less densely populated regions near the Mojave Desert or Antelope Valley where there is ample sunlight and open land for large scale installations. Additionally, rooftop solar panels could be an option within Pacoima's residential areas or on commercial buildings throughout San Fernando Valley.
It's also worth noting that any potential sites would need to consider access to transmission lines and potential environmental impacts before development could proceed.
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: Sunday 21st 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.
