Paramount, California, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 33.8959 and longitude -118.1649 provides ample sunlight for solar panels to operate efficiently.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Paramount varies across seasons, with summer being the most productive period. During summer months, solar panels can generate an impressive 7.12 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 6.82 kWh/day, making it the second-best season for solar energy production.

Autumn sees a moderate decline in solar output, with panels producing 4.79 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest production at 3.66 kWh/day, but still maintains a respectable output considering the shorter days and lower sun angle.

Optimal Panel Placement

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Paramount, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 30-degree tilt angle facing south. This orientation ensures optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.

Ideal Generation Periods

The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Paramount are from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to peak solar panel efficiency. However, the region's generally sunny climate allows for significant energy production even during the less optimal winter months.

Environmental Considerations

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

• Coastal fog: Being relatively close to the Pacific coast, Paramount may experience occasional morning fog, which can temporarily reduce solar output. This typically clears by midday, minimizing long-term impact.
• Air pollution: As part of the greater Los Angeles area, Paramount may sometimes experience smog, which can slightly decrease solar panel efficiency.

To mitigate these factors, consider installing panels at a slightly steeper angle to allow morning dew or fog to run off more easily. Regular cleaning of the panels can also help maintain efficiency by removing any accumulated pollutants or dust.

Overall, Paramount's location provides excellent conditions for solar PV energy generation, with minimal environmental impediments to long-term production.

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 Paramount

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.8959, Longitude: -118.1649 (Paramount, 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 Paramount, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Paramount, United States (Lat/Long 33.8959, -118.1649) 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 Paramount, 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 Paramount, 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 Paramount, 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 Paramount, 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 Paramount, United States

The topography around Paramount, California, located at latitude 33.8959 and longitude -118.1649, is predominantly flat and urban. This area is part of the Los Angeles Basin, a broad coastal plain that stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the foothills of several mountain ranges. The terrain in and around Paramount is characterized by its low-lying nature, with minimal elevation changes across the landscape. The city of Paramount and its surrounding areas are heavily developed, featuring a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and industrial zones. This urban environment is interspersed with occasional parks and open spaces, but natural features are limited. The Los Angeles River, which has been channelized for flood control, runs to the west of Paramount, providing one of the few notable topographical features in the vicinity. Due to the flat terrain and dense urban development, the immediate area around Paramount is not particularly well-suited for large-scale solar PV installations. However, looking beyond the city limits, there are regions that offer more promising opportunities for solar energy projects.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

The Mojave Desert, located approximately 100 miles northeast of Paramount, presents an ideal landscape for large-scale solar PV installations. This vast expanse of arid land receives abundant sunshine throughout the year and features relatively flat terrain, making it highly suitable for solar farms. Several large solar projects already exist in this region, taking advantage of the open spaces and favorable conditions. Another area with potential for solar development is the Antelope Valley, situated about 70 miles north of Paramount. This high desert region, part of the western Mojave Desert, offers expansive, undeveloped land with high solar insolation rates. The cities of Lancaster and Palmdale in the Antelope Valley have already embraced solar energy, with numerous installations in place and plans for further development. The Imperial Valley, located southeast of Paramount near the Mexico-US border, is another region well-suited for large-scale solar projects. This area benefits from intense sunlight, flat terrain, and available land that is less suitable for other types of development. Several solar farms have already been established in this region, capitalizing on its favorable conditions. While these areas are not in the immediate vicinity of Paramount, they represent the most promising locations for large-scale solar PV installations in Southern California. The combination of abundant sunlight, suitable terrain, and available land make these desert regions ideal for harnessing solar energy on a significant scale.

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.