Pomona, California, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 34.067 and longitude -117.7729 provides ample sunlight for photovoltaic (PV) systems to produce electricity efficiently.

Solar energy production in Pomona varies across seasons, with summer being the most productive period. During the summer months, a 1 kW solar installation can generate an average of 8.37 kWh per day. Spring follows closely, with a daily output of 7.72 kWh. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, yielding 5.54 kWh per day. Winter, as expected, has the lowest output at 3.97 kWh per day.

Ideal Times for Solar Generation

The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Pomona are during the summer and spring seasons. These periods offer longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, maximizing the efficiency of solar panels. However, it's worth noting that even during the less productive autumn and winter months, Pomona still receives a significant amount of sunlight, allowing for consistent energy production year-round.

To optimize solar energy capture, fixed panel installations in Pomona should be tilted at a 30-degree angle facing south. This angle has been calculated to maximize total year-round production from solar PV systems, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the city's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Pomona generally offers excellent conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

1. Smog and air pollution: Being part of the greater Los Angeles area, Pomona can experience periods of poor air quality, which may slightly reduce solar panel efficiency.
2. Santa Ana winds: These strong, dry winds can carry dust and debris, potentially affecting panel performance if not properly maintained.

To mitigate these factors, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is recommended. Installing panels at a slight angle can also help prevent dust accumulation. Additionally, using high-quality, dust-resistant panels can enhance overall system performance and longevity.

In conclusion, Pomona's climate and geographical location make it an excellent choice for solar energy production. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in this area can provide reliable and efficient energy 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 3028 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 Pomona

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.067, Longitude: -117.7729 (Pomona, 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 Pomona, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pomona, United States (Lat/Long 34.067, -117.7729) 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 Pomona, 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 Pomona, 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 Pomona, 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 Pomona, 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 Pomona, United States

The topography around Pomona, United States, is characterized by a diverse landscape that reflects its location in the eastern part of Los Angeles County, California. Situated in the Pomona Valley, the city is nestled between the San Gabriel Mountains to the north and the Chino Hills to the south. The terrain in and around Pomona is generally flat to gently rolling, with some areas of low hills and small valleys. The city itself sits on a relatively level plain, with an average elevation of about 850 feet above sea level. As you move away from the city center, the land gradually rises towards the surrounding mountains and hills. To the north, the San Gabriel Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop, with peaks reaching heights of over 10,000 feet. These mountains create a natural barrier that influences the local climate and weather patterns. To the south and southeast of Pomona, the terrain becomes more varied, with the Chino Hills offering a series of low, rolling hills covered in chaparral and grasslands. These hills provide a gentle transition between the flat valley floor and the more rugged mountain terrain beyond.

Potential 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 for solar farms typically include flat or gently sloping land with good sun exposure and minimal shading. The areas to the east and southeast of Pomona, extending towards the cities of Chino and Ontario, offer promising potential for solar PV development. These regions feature expansive, relatively flat terrain with fewer urban developments, providing ample space for large-scale installations. The open landscapes in this direction receive abundant sunlight throughout the year, making them well-suited for solar energy production. Additionally, the desert regions further to the east and northeast, such as the Mojave Desert, present excellent opportunities for solar PV projects. While these areas are somewhat farther from Pomona, they offer vast expanses of flat, sun-drenched land that is ideal for large-scale solar farms. The arid climate and lack of vegetation in these desert environments minimize concerns about shading and maximize solar energy potential. It's important to note that while the mountainous areas surrounding Pomona may receive ample sunlight, their steep and rugged terrain makes them less suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. The costs and challenges associated with developing solar farms on such terrain would likely outweigh the benefits. In conclusion, the areas east and southeast of Pomona, as well as the desert regions further out, offer the most promising locations for large-scale solar PV development. These areas combine favorable topography with excellent solar resources, making them ideal candidates 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.