Solar PV Analysis of Marshall, California, United States
The location at Marshall, California, in the United States is pretty good for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) technology all year round. However, it's not perfect and there are some factors to consider.
Let's first talk about how much electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt of solar panels installed at this location. In Summer and Spring, you could get around 8.35 and 7.42 kilowatt-hours per day respectively - that's pretty high! But in Autumn and Winter, the output drops to around 4.54 and 2.91 kilowatt-hours per day respectively due to shorter days and lower sun angle.
So if your aim is to maximize solar energy generation throughout the year, it would be best to install your panels during late Winter or early Spring so they're ready for the highest producing months.
Now let's talk about how you should position these panels. For a fixed panel installation here in Marshall, California, tilting them at an angle of 32 degrees facing South will give you the maximum total production over the course of a year.
However, there may be some local factors that could affect your solar production negatively such as foggy weather conditions common along California’s coast which can reduce sunlight reaching your panels or birds dropping waste on them which can block sunlight too.
To mitigate these issues; firstly ensure regular cleaning of your panels especially after heavy foggy periods or if there are many birds in your area; secondly consider installing bird deterrents like spikes or nets above your panels if bird droppings become a significant problem; thirdly think about using more advanced types of PV modules designed specifically for low-light conditions such as thin-film cells which perform better under diffuse light conditions like fog compared with traditional crystalline silicon cells but do note they might be more expensive upfront though their performance benefits may outweigh this over time depending on how often fog occurs.
So overall, while Marshall, California isn't the perfect location for solar energy generation due to its seasonal and weather variations, with the right planning and maintenance you can still generate a substantial amount of electricity from solar PV here.
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 Marshall, California
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.1768, Longitude: -122.8901 (Marshall, California, 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 Marshall, California, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Marshall, California, United States (Lat/Long 38.1768, -122.8901) 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 Marshall, California, 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 Marshall, California, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° 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 Marshall, California, 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 Marshall, California, 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 Marshall, California, United States
The area around Marshall, United States (Lat, Long: 38.1768,-122.8901) is characterized by a mix of coastal and hilly terrain as it is located in Northern California near the coastline. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from sea level to several hundred feet above sea level.
As for large-scale solar PV installations, they require relatively flat and clear land that receives ample sunlight throughout the year. Areas away from the immediate coastline would likely be better suited due to less potential interference from marine layer clouds or fog which can reduce solar irradiance.
Looking at nearby areas, regions towards the east of Marshall such as Petaluma or Sonoma Valley could potentially be more suited for large-scale solar PV installations given their flatter terrains and typically sunnier climates compared to coastal areas. However, it's important to note that feasibility also depends on other factors like local regulations, proximity to power grids, environmental considerations etc., which need further detailed assessment.
Additionally, rooftop solar panels could also be an option within urbanized areas if land availability is a concern.
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: Monday 15th 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.
