Solar PV Analysis of Whittier, United States
Whittier, California is a pretty good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies with the seasons. In summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can generate about 7.11 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. This drops to around 4.85 kWh/day in autumn and further decreases to about 3.72 kWh/day in winter due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun position in the sky during these seasons. But it does increase again in spring, up to approximately 6.84 kWh/day.
The most ideal times for generating solar power at this location would be during summer and spring when there's more sunlight available for longer periods of time compared to other seasons.
If you're considering installing fixed panel solar at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 30 degrees facing South will help maximize total production throughout the year.
As far as local factors that could affect solar production - Whittier is generally sunny and doesn't have much heavy rainfall or snow which could block sunlight from reaching your panels; however foggy conditions or air pollution might occasionally reduce their efficiency.
To overcome these potential issues, you could consider regular cleaning of your panels especially after episodes of heavy smog or dust storms which are known to occur occasionally in Southern California regions like Whittier; also monitoring weather forecasts will allow you plan ahead for any unusual weather patterns such as persistent fog that might affect output levels temporarily but significantly if not managed properly.
In summary: while there may be minor seasonal fluctuations and occasional environmental challenges, overall Whittier offers a favorable environment for producing substantial amounts of electricity via Solar PV all year round.
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 Whittier
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.9263, Longitude: -118.0034 (Whittier, 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 Whittier, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Whittier, United States (Lat/Long 33.9263, -118.0034) 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 Whittier, 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 Whittier, 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 Whittier, 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 Whittier, 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 Whittier, United States
Whittier is located in Los Angeles County, California. The city is situated in the southern part of the state and it has a varied topography. It is surrounded by hills to the north and east, while flatlands dominate the south and west parts of the city.
The nearby Puente Hills are characterized by steep slopes and thick vegetation, making them less suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. However, the flatter regions towards south and west could potentially be more suited for such projects due to their relatively flat terrain which would allow for easier installation of solar panels.
Furthermore, areas with fewer buildings or obstructions would also be ideal for large-scale solar PV installations as they provide unobstructed sunlight exposure. This includes open fields or industrial zones that have larger roof surfaces suitable for rooftop solar systems.
It should also be noted that Southern California receives plenty of sunshine throughout the year making it an excellent location for harnessing solar energy. However, a detailed feasibility study including factors like land cost, transmission lines access etc., would need to be conducted before determining specific locations most suited for large-scale solar PV in Whittier or its vicinity.
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 2nd of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
