Highland, California represents a very good location for year-round solar energy generation, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 34.1301, -117.2044. The area benefits from excellent solar conditions throughout most of the year, making it well-suited for solar PV installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output varies significantly across seasons, with summer producing the highest yields at 8.37 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind with strong production of 7.71 kWh per day per kW, making these two seasons the optimal times for solar generation at this location. Autumn shows moderate performance with 5.47 kWh per day per kW, while winter represents the lowest production period at 3.90 kWh per day per kW. Despite the winter reduction, the location still maintains reasonable solar output during the cooler months.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For fixed panel installations at Highland, California, the ideal tilt angle is 30 degrees facing south to maximize total year-round solar production. This angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles at this latitude, determining optimal panel positioning, and weighting these angles using solar irradiance data while accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Factors and Mitigation Strategies

Several local environmental factors can potentially impact solar production in Highland, California:

• Dust and particulate matter from desert winds and nearby mountain areas can accumulate on panels
• Occasional wildfire smoke during fire season can reduce solar irradiance
• High summer temperatures can reduce panel efficiency
• Potential for strong Santa Ana winds that may carry debris

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several preventative measures should be implemented. Regular panel cleaning schedules become essential, with more frequent cleaning during dusty periods or after windstorms. Installing panels with adequate ventilation space underneath helps manage heat buildup during hot summer months. Choosing high-quality mounting systems designed to withstand strong winds ensures system durability and maintains optimal panel positioning. Additionally, selecting solar panels with good high-temperature performance characteristics helps maintain efficiency during Highland's warm summer months when production peaks.

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 Highland, California

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.1301, Longitude: -117.2044 (Highland, California, 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 Highland, California, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Highland, California, United States (Lat/Long 34.1301, -117.2044) 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 Highland, California, 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 Highland, California, 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 Highland, California, 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 Highland, California, 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 Highland, California, United States

Topography Around Highland, California

Highland sits in the San Bernardino Valley at an elevation of approximately 1,200 feet above sea level, positioned between the San Gabriel Mountains to the west and the San Bernardino Mountains to the north and east. The terrain in and around Highland consists primarily of gently sloping alluvial fans and terraced foothills that extend outward from the mountain bases toward the valley floor. The immediate area features relatively flat to moderately sloping terrain with gradual elevation changes, making it part of the broader Inland Empire region. The landscape transitions from the developed valley floor where Highland is located to increasingly steep mountainous terrain as one moves toward the surrounding peaks. The San Bernardino National Forest encompasses much of the higher elevation areas to the north and east, while the valley floor extends southward toward Redlands and westward toward Rancho Cucamonga. The region's topography was shaped by ancient alluvial deposits carried down from the mountains, creating the characteristic fan-shaped landforms that spread across the valley. These geological formations result in terrain that generally slopes downward from northeast to southwest, following the natural drainage patterns of the area.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Highland would be the relatively flat valley floor areas to the south and southwest of the city. These areas offer several topographical advantages including minimal slope variations, which reduce construction costs and maximize panel efficiency through optimal positioning. The terraced foothills immediately south of Highland present excellent opportunities for solar development, as they provide sufficient flat or gently sloping land while maintaining good drainage characteristics. These elevated positions also tend to have fewer issues with fog or low-lying atmospheric conditions that can sometimes affect valley floor locations. Areas extending toward Redlands and the broader San Bernardino Valley floor would be particularly well-suited for utility-scale solar farms. The consistent elevation and minimal topographical obstacles in these locations allow for efficient installation of tracking systems and provide the large contiguous land areas necessary for major solar developments. The western portions of the valley, where the terrain remains relatively flat before beginning its ascent toward the San Gabriel Mountains, also offer favorable conditions. These areas benefit from stable geological conditions and predictable terrain that facilitates both construction and maintenance operations for large solar installations. Mountainous areas to the north and east would generally be less suitable due to steep slopes, irregular terrain, and potential shading from ridgelines and peaks. The valley floor and lower foothills provide the optimal combination of accessible terrain, stable ground conditions, and favorable topographical characteristics needed for efficient large-scale solar energy production.

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.