Playa del Rey, California, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 33.9613° N latitude and 118.438° W longitude, this coastal location benefits from abundant sunshine, making it a promising site for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at Playa del Rey varies across the four meteorological seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, with an impressive 7.11 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.84 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production at 4.85 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.72 kWh/day per kW installed.

These figures indicate that Playa del Rey maintains relatively high solar potential throughout the year, with peak performance during the longer, sunnier days of summer and spring. Even during the less productive winter months, the location still offers decent solar energy generation capabilities.

Optimal Panel Installation

For those considering a fixed panel installation in Playa del Rey, the ideal angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees tilted towards the South. This optimal tilt angle takes into account the location's latitude, seasonal sun paths, and daily solar elevation angles to ensure the panels capture the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Playa del Rey generally provides excellent conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

1. Coastal fog: Being close to the Pacific Ocean, morning fog can occasionally reduce solar efficiency in the early hours.
2. Salt air exposure: The proximity to the ocean means solar panels may be exposed to salt air, which can potentially cause corrosion over time.

To mitigate these factors, installers can implement preventative measures such as using corrosion-resistant materials for mounting hardware and ensuring panels are properly sealed against moisture intrusion. Regular cleaning to remove salt deposits and scheduling maintenance checks can also help maintain optimal performance.

Despite these minor considerations, Playa del Rey remains an excellent location for solar PV installations, offering consistent and substantial energy production throughout the year. The combination of its geographical position, climate, and ample sunshine makes it an ideal setting for harnessing solar power and contributing to sustainable energy solutions.

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 Playa Del Rey

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.9613, Longitude: -118.438 (Playa Del Rey, 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 Playa Del Rey, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Playa Del Rey, United States (Lat/Long 33.9613, -118.438) 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 Playa Del Rey, 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 Playa Del Rey, 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 Playa Del Rey, 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 Playa Del Rey, 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 Playa Del Rey, United States

The topography around Playa del Rey, located in Los Angeles County, California, is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes coastal features, urban development, and nearby hills. Situated along the Pacific coast, Playa del Rey is positioned on a relatively flat coastal plain that gradually rises eastward. To the west, the area is defined by sandy beaches and the Pacific Ocean. The coastline is marked by a narrow strip of land that separates the ocean from the Ballona Wetlands, a significant ecological area. These wetlands, though much reduced from their original extent, still provide important habitat for various species and contribute to the area's unique topography. Moving inland, the terrain becomes more urbanized, with residential and commercial development occupying much of the flat to gently sloping land. The area is intersected by roads and highways, including the famous Pacific Coast Highway that runs parallel to the shoreline. To the east and northeast, the land begins to rise more noticeably, transitioning into the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. This change in elevation creates a series of rolling hills and small canyons, providing some topographic relief to the otherwise predominantly flat coastal area.

Potential Areas 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 have ample open space, relatively flat terrain, and good sun exposure. One potential area for solar PV development could be the expansive flatlands to the east and southeast of Playa del Rey, in the direction of Inglewood and Hawthorne. These areas, while largely urbanized, may have suitable industrial or commercial zones that could accommodate large-scale solar installations on rooftops or in open lots. Another possibility might be the area around Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is located just south of Playa del Rey. Airports often have large, open spaces that could potentially be utilized for solar arrays, although strict regulations regarding glare and aviation safety would need to be considered. The gentle slopes of the hills to the north and northeast, while not as ideal as flat terrain, could potentially support solar installations if properly designed. However, these areas may face more challenges in terms of land availability and environmental considerations. It's important to note that the densely populated nature of the Los Angeles metropolitan area presents significant challenges for large-scale solar PV development in close proximity to Playa del Rey. Any potential sites would need to be carefully evaluated for their environmental impact, land use regulations, and compatibility with existing infrastructure and communities.

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.