Redondo Beach, California, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 33.8303° N, 118.3795° W, this coastal city experiences consistent sunshine, making it an attractive spot for solar installations.

The seasonal solar energy production at this location demonstrates significant potential:

Seasonal Solar Output

• Summer: 7.11 kWh/day per kW installed
• Spring: 6.84 kWh/day per kW installed
• Autumn: 4.85 kWh/day per kW installed
• Winter: 3.72 kWh/day per kW installed

These figures indicate that Redondo Beach experiences robust solar energy potential throughout the year, with peak production occurring during the summer months. The spring season also shows impressive output, nearly matching summer levels. While autumn and winter see a decrease in production, they still offer substantial energy generation capabilities.

For those considering fixed panel installations in Redondo Beach, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar PV production is 30 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight across all seasons, ensuring consistent energy generation throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Redondo Beach generally provides excellent conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

1. Coastal fog: Being a coastal city, Redondo Beach can experience marine layer fog, particularly during early morning hours. This may slightly reduce solar output during affected periods. To mitigate this, installers can consider positioning panels to maximize exposure during fog-free hours and use high-efficiency panels that perform well in diffuse light conditions.

2. Salt air exposure: The proximity to the ocean means solar installations may be exposed to salt air, which can potentially cause corrosion over time. To address this, it's crucial to use marine-grade materials and components designed to withstand coastal environments. Regular maintenance and cleaning can also help prevent salt buildup on panels.

3. Urban shading: As a developed area, some locations in Redondo Beach may experience shading from nearby buildings or trees. Careful site assessment and panel placement can help minimize the impact of shading. In some cases, microinverters or power optimizers can be employed to maintain system efficiency even when partial shading occurs.

Despite these minor considerations, Redondo Beach remains an excellent location for solar PV installations. With proper planning and preventative measures, property owners can expect to harness significant solar energy throughout the year, contributing to sustainable energy production and reduced reliance on conventional power sources.

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 Redondo Beach

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.8303, Longitude: -118.3795 (Redondo Beach, 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 Redondo Beach, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Redondo Beach, United States (Lat/Long 33.8303, -118.3795) 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 Redondo Beach, 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 Redondo Beach, 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 Redondo Beach, 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 Redondo Beach, 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 Redondo Beach, United States

Redondo Beach, located in Southern California, is situated along the Pacific Coast in a region known for its diverse topography. The city itself is primarily flat, with a gentle slope rising from the shoreline towards the east. The coastline features sandy beaches and a man-made harbor, providing a picturesque setting for residents and visitors alike. To the east of Redondo Beach, the terrain gradually becomes more varied. The Palos Verdes Peninsula, a prominent landform in the area, rises to the south and southeast. This hilly region reaches elevations of up to 1,480 feet above sea level, offering stunning views of the surrounding coastline and the Los Angeles basin.

Surrounding Topography

North of Redondo Beach, the landscape remains relatively flat, extending through neighboring coastal cities like Manhattan Beach and El Segundo. This area is part of the larger South Bay region, characterized by its expansive beaches and urban development. Inland from Redondo Beach, the terrain transitions into the Los Angeles basin, a broad, flat plain that stretches eastward. This area is densely populated and highly urbanized, with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial zones.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Redondo Beach, several factors come into play. The most promising locations would be found inland, away from the densely populated coastal areas and the hilly Palos Verdes Peninsula. The flat, open spaces of the Los Angeles basin, particularly in less developed areas to the east and northeast of Redondo Beach, could potentially accommodate large solar arrays. These areas benefit from the region's abundant sunshine and lack of significant topographical obstacles that might cast shadows or impede solar panel efficiency. However, it's important to note that much of the land in the vicinity of Redondo Beach is already developed or designated for other uses. Large-scale solar PV installations would likely need to be situated further inland, in less urbanized areas of Los Angeles County or neighboring counties where more open space is available. Areas such as the Antelope Valley, located about 60 miles northeast of Redondo Beach, have already proven suitable for utility-scale solar projects. This region's flat desert landscape and high solar irradiance make it an ideal location for large solar installations. In conclusion, while the immediate vicinity of Redondo Beach may not be ideal for large-scale solar PV due to urban development and varied topography, suitable areas can be found within a reasonable distance, particularly in the inland regions to the east and northeast where flat, open spaces are more readily available.

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.