Solar PV Analysis of South Lake Tahoe, United States
The location at South Lake Tahoe, California, is generally good for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) panels throughout the year. However, it's important to note that the amount of electricity produced will vary significantly by season.
In simple terms, a solar PV system in this location can generate about 8.20 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day during the summer for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity. This makes summer an ideal time for solar generation due to longer daylight hours and higher sun intensity.
During autumn and spring, you can expect approximately 4.90 kWh/day and 7.13 kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar capacity. Although these numbers are lower than in summer, they're still reasonably productive periods for solar generation.
Winter sees the least production with just around 3.22 kWh/day per kW of installed solar power due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity.
To maximize year-round production from your PV system at this location, it's recommended that your panels be fixed at an angle facing 34 degrees towards the south as this aligns best with the path of the sun across all seasons.
As far as environmental or weather factors go that could impede production: South Lake Tahoe has heavy snowfall during winter months which could cover up your panels reducing their efficiency or even causing damage if not properly managed. Also occasional foggy conditions might reduce sunlight availability too.
To mitigate these issues:
1) You may want to install a mechanism allowing you to adjust panel angles so you can tilt them off when there’s heavy snow forecasted - preventing accumulation on top.
2) Regular cleaning/maintenance is also crucial especially after major weather events like storms or heavy snowfalls.
3) Lastly installing high-quality durable panels designed to withstand harsh weather conditions would be beneficial too.
Remember though: while these mitigations help ensure greater energy production, they might increase your initial installation costs. So it's important to balance these considerations based on your specific needs and budget.
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 South Lake Tahoe
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.9129, Longitude: -119.9878 (South Lake Tahoe, 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 34° South in South Lake Tahoe, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in South Lake Tahoe, United States (Lat/Long 38.9129, -119.9878) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 South Lake Tahoe, 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 South Lake Tahoe, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° 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 South Lake Tahoe, 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 South Lake Tahoe, 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 South Lake Tahoe, United States
South Lake Tahoe is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. The topography is mountainous and forested, with the lake being a prominent feature. There are also many valleys, ridges, and slopes in this region.
For large-scale solar PV installations, it's best to look for flat or gently sloping areas with good sun exposure. In South Lake Tahoe area, such places could be challenging to find due to its mountainous terrain and dense forests which can cause shading issues.
However, some potential suitable areas might include:
1. Carson Valley: Located east of South Lake Tahoe across the state line in Nevada. This valley area gets plenty of sunshine year-round and has flatter terrain which may be more suitable for large scale solar PV installations.
2. Alpine County: To the south of South Lake Tahoe lies Alpine county which has less dense forest cover compared to El Dorado county (where South Lake Tahoe is located). Some parts here may be suitable for solar PV given appropriate land use permissions.
3. Sacramento Valley: While it's not exactly nearby (about 100 miles west), this region offers vast flat lands with high sun exposure making it potentially ideal for large-scale solar projects.
It should be noted that any development would need to consider local regulations and restrictions related to environmental conservation given that this area is known for its natural beauty and biodiversity.
Moreover, feasibility studies should also take into account other factors like grid connectivity infrastructure availability & cost as well as potential impact on local communities among others before deciding on a specific location.
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: Friday 14th 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.
