Solar PV Analysis of Palos Verdes Estates, United States
Palos Verdes Estates, California is a fairly good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies by season. In summer and spring, you can expect to generate more electricity - around 7.11 and 6.84 kilowatt-hours per day respectively for each kW of installed solar power. In autumn and winter, the output drops to about 4.85 and 3.72 kWh/day per kW respectively.
The best times to generate solar power at this location would be during the sunny months of spring and summer when daylight hours are longer, but even in autumn and winter there's still a decent amount of solar energy production.
For maximum efficiency year-round, it's recommended that fixed panel installations at this location should be tilted at an angle of 30 degrees facing south.
As for potential factors that could impact your ability to produce solar energy in Palos Verdes Estates, weather conditions such as fog or heavy cloud cover could reduce sunlight exposure on the panels thus reducing their efficiency. There may also be local regulations regarding the installation or use of rooftop solar panels so you'll need to check with local authorities before proceeding with any installation plans.
Preventative measures include ensuring your panels are clear from shading by trees or buildings which might block sunlight especially during peak sun hours (around midday). Regular cleaning will also help keep your panels working efficiently as dust or debris can block sunlight too.
In conclusion, while there are some minor challenges associated with producing efficient solar power in Palos Verdes Estates due mainly to seasonal changes in sun intensity and possible foggy conditions; these obstacles can easily be managed through careful planning and maintenance practices making it a relatively ideal place for harnessing renewable energy via Solar PV systems.
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 Palos Verdes Estates
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.7671, Longitude: -118.3814 (Palos Verdes Estates, 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 Palos Verdes Estates, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Palos Verdes Estates, United States (Lat/Long 33.7671, -118.3814) 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 Palos Verdes Estates, 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 Palos Verdes Estates, 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 | 38° 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 Palos Verdes Estates, 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 Palos Verdes Estates, 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 Palos Verdes Estates, United States
Palos Verdes Estates is located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, California. The topography of this area is characterized by steep cliffs and hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It's a suburban area with a lot of residential properties.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat and open areas are generally more suitable because they receive more direct sunlight and require less site preparation. Given the hilly terrain in Palos Verdes Estates, it might not be an ideal location for large-scale solar projects.
However, there are several potential locations nearby that could be suitable for such projects:
1. Flat regions in South Bay: Areas like Torrance or Carson have relatively flat terrains which can accommodate large scale solar installations.
2. Industrial Zones: Large industrial zones around Long Beach or near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) have vast rooftops which can potentially host commercial rooftop solar systems.
3. Desert Areas: Further away from Palos Verdes Estates, towards east you will find desert areas like Mojave Desert which are known to be excellent locations for utility-scale solar farms due to their high levels of sun exposure throughout the year.
It's important to note that local regulations and zoning laws should also be considered when planning such projects as these may restrict where such facilities can be built.
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: Friday 24th of May 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.
