Solar PV Analysis of Rancho Cordova, United States
The location at Rancho Cordova, California is quite good for generating energy via solar photovoltaics (PV) year-round. Solar PV systems convert sunlight directly into electricity, so they work best in places with a lot of sun.
In terms of the seasons, summer and spring are the most productive times for solar energy generation at this location. During these times you can expect to generate around 8.49kWh/day and 7.5kWh/day respectively per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. Autumn is less productive but still decent with an output of about 4.66 kWh/day per kW, while winter has the lowest productivity with only about 2.82 kWh/day per kW.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year in this location, it's recommended that they're tilted at an angle facing south by 32 degrees from horizontal level - this helps them capture as much sunlight as possible.
However there may be some local factors that could impact how much energy you can generate from your solar panels in Rancho Cordova:
1) Weather: Although California generally has a sunny climate which is great for producing solar power, it does have rainy days especially in winter which could reduce output during those periods.
2) Air Quality: Sometimes areas in California experience smog or wildfires which can reduce air quality and block some sunlight from reaching your panels.
3) Shade: Any large buildings or trees nearby might cast shade on your panels reducing their exposure to direct sunlight.
To mitigate these issues:
- For weather related issues, unfortunately there isn't much you can do except ensure your system is properly maintained so it operates efficiently when conditions are good.
- For air quality issues like smog or smoke from wildfires affecting panel efficiency; regular cleaning will help keep them operating optimally.
- To deal with shading problems consider installing your system where there's little to no shade or trimming any trees that might be blocking sunlight.
In conclusion, Rancho Cordova is generally a good location for generating solar power with the best times being during summer and spring. However, local factors such as weather conditions and shading can affect output so it's important to take these into account when installing your system.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° 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 Rancho Cordova
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.6106, Longitude: -121.2789 (Rancho Cordova, 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 32° South in Rancho Cordova, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rancho Cordova, United States (Lat/Long 38.6106, -121.2789) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Rancho Cordova, 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 Rancho Cordova, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 31° 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 Rancho Cordova, 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 Rancho Cordova, 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 Rancho Cordova, United States
Rancho Cordova is located in the Sacramento Valley, part of the Central Valley region in California. The topography is relatively flat and low-lying, with some rolling hills to the east towards Sierra Nevada Foothills. The area is generally below 500 feet in elevation.
The climate in Rancho Cordova and surrounding areas like Citrus Heights, Rosemont, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Gold River and Folsom can be suitable for solar PV installations due to high amount of annual sunshine hours. However, the most suitable locations would depend on a variety of factors beyond just sunlight availability such as land use restrictions or regulations.
Generally speaking though:
1) Flat agricultural lands: Large-scale ground-mounted solar PV systems could potentially be installed on flat agricultural lands that are not used for farming or have less productive soils.
2) Rooftops: Large industrial buildings or warehouses typically have large rooftops that may be suitable for rooftop solar PV installations.
3) Brownfield sites: These are previously developed sites that are not currently in use – they may also present opportunities for large-scale solar development if remediation costs aren't too high.
4) Parking lots: Solar carports can also provide significant capacity while providing shade and possibly electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Remember each site would need to undergo detailed feasibility studies including grid connection assessment before it could be deemed suitable.
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: Sunday 30th of June 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.
