Solar PV Analysis of Tracy, United States
Tracy, California, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a generally favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's position at latitude 37.7712 and longitude -121.5382 provides ample sunlight for solar power production, with varying levels of efficiency across seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Tracy peaks during the summer months, with an impressive average daily output of 8.63 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 7.53 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 4.90 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.04 kWh/day per kW installed.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in Tracy. Despite the winter dip, the location still maintains a respectable year-round solar potential.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Tracy, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 32 degrees facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the city's latitude and seasonal sun positions, ensuring the best overall performance throughout the year.
Environmental Considerations
While Tracy's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Dust and air pollution: The Central Valley, where Tracy is located, can experience air quality issues, particularly during summer and fall. Regular panel cleaning can mitigate this impact.
- Fog: Occasional morning fog, especially in winter, may slightly reduce solar efficiency. However, this typically clears by midday and doesn't significantly impede overall production.
To address these factors, consider implementing automated cleaning systems for the panels and using high-quality, anti-reflective coatings to maximize light absorption even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Overall, Tracy's location provides an excellent opportunity for solar PV energy generation, with strong performance in spring and summer, and acceptable output levels year-round. The climate and environmental factors pose minimal challenges, making it a highly suitable location for solar power installations.
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 Tracy
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.7712, Longitude: -121.5382 (Tracy, 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 Tracy, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tracy, United States (Lat/Long 37.7712, -121.5382) 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 Tracy, 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 Tracy, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 52° South in Winter | 30° 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 Tracy, 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 Tracy, 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 Tracy, United States
The topography around Tracy, California, located in the eastern part of the San Joaquin Valley, is characterized by a mix of flat valley floors and gently rolling hills. The city itself sits on relatively level ground, with an average elevation of about 50 feet above sea level. To the west of Tracy, the terrain gradually rises into the Diablo Range, a series of low mountains and foothills that separate the San Joaquin Valley from the San Francisco Bay Area.
To the east and south of Tracy, the landscape is predominantly flat, consisting of agricultural lands and open spaces typical of the Central Valley. This area is part of the vast alluvial plain formed by the San Joaquin River and its tributaries over millions of years. The flat terrain extends for many miles in these directions, broken only by occasional small hills or subtle changes in elevation.
North of Tracy, the topography becomes slightly more varied, with some low-lying hills and gentle slopes leading towards the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. This region is characterized by a network of waterways, levees, and islands that form the complex delta ecosystem.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would be the flat, open spaces to the east and south of Tracy. These regions offer several advantages for solar energy development:
- Abundant flat land with minimal grading requirements
- High sun exposure due to the lack of natural obstacles
- Proximity to existing power infrastructure
- Less competition for land use compared to urban or mountainous areas
The agricultural lands in these directions, particularly those with less productive soil or areas already designated for non-agricultural use, could be ideal candidates for solar farm development. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would need to balance energy production goals with agricultural preservation concerns, as the Central Valley is a crucial agricultural region for California and the United States.
While the hills to the west might seem appealing due to their elevation, they are generally less suitable for large-scale solar installations due to their uneven terrain, potential shading issues, and higher land development costs. Additionally, these areas may have more environmental sensitivities and face greater opposition from local communities concerned about preserving the natural landscape.
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 18th 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.
