Solar PV Analysis of Roseville, United States
Roseville, California, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a generally favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 38.768 latitude and -121.3349 longitude, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy potential.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy output in Roseville fluctuates considerably across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive average daily output of 8.49 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 7.50 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 4.66 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.82 kWh/day.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
The extended daylight hours and typically clear skies from late spring through early fall make this the ideal time for solar energy production in Roseville. The period from May to September is particularly productive, with peak performance in June and July. While winter months show reduced output, the area still receives sufficient sunlight for meaningful energy generation year-round.
Panel Installation Considerations
For fixed panel installations in Roseville, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 33 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions, ensuring the best overall performance across all seasons.
Environmental and Weather Factors
While Roseville generally provides favorable conditions for solar energy, there are a few factors that could potentially impact production:
- Summer heat waves: Extremely high temperatures can slightly reduce panel efficiency.
- Winter fog: The Central Valley's notorious Tule fog can occasionally diminish solar output during winter mornings.
To mitigate these factors, consider using high-efficiency panels that perform well in high temperatures and ensuring proper panel ventilation. Regular cleaning to remove dust accumulation, especially after foggy periods, can also help maintain optimal performance. Additionally, a slight adjustment in panel angle during winter months could potentially offset some of the seasonal output reduction.
Overall, Roseville's climate and geographical location make it a highly suitable area for solar PV installations, with the potential for significant energy production throughout most of the year.
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 Roseville
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.768, Longitude: -121.3349 (Roseville, 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 33° South in Roseville, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Roseville, United States (Lat/Long 38.768, -121.3349) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Roseville, 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 Roseville, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° 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 | 43° 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 Roseville, 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 Roseville, 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 Roseville, United States
The topography around Roseville, California, is characterized by a mix of flat valley floors and gently rolling hills. Roseville itself sits in the Sacramento Valley, which is part of the larger Central Valley of California. This area is known for its relatively flat terrain, with elevations ranging from about 100 to 200 feet above sea level within the city limits.
As you move east from Roseville, the landscape gradually transitions into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. These foothills become more pronounced and steeper as you continue eastward. To the west of Roseville, the land remains predominantly flat, extending towards the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
The immediate surroundings of Roseville feature a combination of urban development, suburban neighborhoods, and open spaces. There are also several creeks and small waterways that wind through the area, creating subtle variations in the local topography.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat, open spaces to the west and northwest of Roseville offer promising potential. These areas, which extend into Sutter and Yuba counties, have several advantages for solar energy production:
- Abundant flat land with minimal shading from natural features or structures
- High levels of annual sunshine typical of California's Central Valley
- Proximity to existing power infrastructure and transmission lines
- Less competition for land use compared to more densely populated urban areas
The agricultural lands in these directions could potentially accommodate large solar farms without significant topographical challenges. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to balance energy production goals with agricultural preservation concerns, as much of this land is currently used for farming.
Areas to the east, in the foothills, might be less suitable for extensive solar installations due to the more varied terrain and increased vegetation, which could create shading issues and complicate construction. Nevertheless, there may be some suitable sites on south-facing slopes or in cleared areas within the foothills that could be appropriate for smaller-scale solar projects.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 25th of July 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.
