Solar PV Analysis of Torrance, United States
Torrance, California, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a generally favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 33.846 and longitude -118.3456 provides ample sunlight for solar panel installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Torrance varies across seasons, with summer being the most productive period. During summer months, solar panels can generate an impressive 7.11 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind, with a daily output of 6.84 kWh/kW. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, yielding 4.85 kWh/day per kW. Winter experiences the lowest output at 3.72 kWh/day per kW, but still maintains a respectable level of energy generation.
Optimal Panel Tilt
For fixed panel installations in Torrance, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Peak Generation Periods
The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Torrance are during the summer months, typically from June to August, when daylight hours are longest and solar intensity is at its peak. Spring and early fall also offer excellent conditions for solar production, with clear skies and moderate temperatures contributing to high efficiency.
Environmental Considerations
While Torrance benefits from a generally sunny climate, there are a few environmental factors that could potentially impact solar production:
- Coastal fog: Being close to the Pacific Ocean, Torrance can experience morning fog, particularly during summer months. This may slightly reduce early morning solar output.
- Air pollution: As part of the greater Los Angeles area, Torrance can sometimes experience smog, which may marginally decrease solar panel efficiency.
To mitigate these factors, consider installing panels at a slightly steeper angle to catch more sunlight once fog burns off. Regular cleaning of panels can also help maintain efficiency in the face of air pollution. Additionally, using high-quality, anti-reflective coatings on solar panels can improve performance in foggy conditions.
Overall, Torrance's climate and geographical location make it an excellent choice for solar PV installations, with consistent energy production throughout the year and particularly high outputs during summer and spring months.
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 Torrance
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.846, Longitude: -118.3456 (Torrance, 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 Torrance, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Torrance, United States (Lat/Long 33.846, -118.3456) 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 Torrance, 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 Torrance, 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 Torrance, 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 Torrance, 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 Torrance, United States
The topography around Torrance, California, is a mix of coastal plains and low hills. Torrance itself is situated on a relatively flat area known as the Torrance Plain, which is part of the larger Los Angeles Basin. To the south and west of Torrance, you'll find the Palos Verdes Peninsula, a hilly area that rises above the surrounding landscape and offers scenic views of the Pacific Ocean.
To the east of Torrance, the terrain gradually rises into the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, though these mountains are quite far from Torrance itself. The city is bordered by beaches to the west, including Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach, which feature long stretches of sandy coastline.
As for areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the best locations would likely be found east of Torrance, moving inland towards the Mojave Desert. The desert regions of Southern California, such as areas around Lancaster and Palmdale, offer ideal conditions for solar energy production due to their flat terrain, abundant sunshine, and lower land costs.
However, it's important to note that the immediate vicinity of Torrance is highly urbanized, which limits the available space for large-scale solar installations. The Los Angeles metropolitan area is densely populated, and most open land is already developed or protected for environmental reasons.
For significant solar PV projects near Torrance, developers might consider:
- Repurposing large industrial or commercial rooftops in the area
- Utilizing parking lots for solar canopies
- Exploring opportunities on abandoned or remediated industrial sites
- Looking further inland to less developed areas with more available land
While the immediate area around Torrance may not be ideal for large-scale solar farms due to urban development, there are still opportunities for smaller-scale solar projects that could contribute significantly to local 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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 4th of August 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.
