Solar PV Analysis of Woodland, United States
Woodland, California, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 38.6829° N latitude and 121.7969° W longitude, this location experiences significant variations in solar energy output across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Energy Production
The solar energy potential in Woodland follows a predictable pattern, with peak production during the summer months. In summer, solar panels can generate an impressive 8.49 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind, with a daily output of 7.50 kWh/kW. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, yielding 4.66 kWh/day per kW. Winter experiences the lowest output, with 2.82 kWh/day per kW, due to shorter days and lower sun angles.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
The most ideal period for solar energy production in Woodland spans from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to maximized solar panel efficiency. However, it's worth noting that even during the winter months, Woodland still receives a decent amount of sunlight, allowing for continued, albeit reduced, solar energy generation.
Panel Tilt Angle for Maximum Efficiency
For fixed solar panel installations in Woodland, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 33 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and takes into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and seasonal variations in solar elevation.
Environmental Factors and Mitigation Strategies
While Woodland generally provides excellent conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Fog: The Central Valley of California, where Woodland is located, can experience foggy conditions, particularly in the winter months. This may temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency.
- Dust and pollen: Agricultural activities in the surrounding areas can contribute to dust and pollen accumulation on solar panels, potentially decreasing their effectiveness.
To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is recommended. Additionally, installing panels at a slight angle can help prevent dust and pollen buildup. For areas prone to fog, considering a tracking system that can adjust panel angles throughout the day may help maximize energy capture during clearer periods.
Overall, Woodland's climate and geographical location make it a highly suitable area for solar energy production, with ample opportunity to harness renewable energy throughout the year.
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 Woodland
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.6829, Longitude: -121.7969 (Woodland, 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 33° South in Woodland, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Woodland, United States (Lat/Long 38.6829, -121.7969) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Woodland, 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 Woodland, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° 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 | 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 Woodland, 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 Woodland, 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 Woodland, United States
The topography around Woodland, California, located at latitude 38.6829 and longitude -121.7969, is predominantly flat to gently rolling. This area is part of the Sacramento Valley, which is characterized by its expansive, low-lying terrain. The landscape is primarily composed of agricultural fields, with scattered trees and occasional small hills or mounds.
To the east of Woodland, you'll find the wide, flat expanse of the valley floor, which extends for many miles. This area is crisscrossed by irrigation canals and dotted with farms and orchards. As you move west from Woodland, the terrain gradually becomes more undulating, with gentle slopes and low hills beginning to appear.
The nearby Capay Valley, located to the northwest of Woodland, features slightly more varied topography, with rolling hills and small valleys. However, even this area remains relatively low in elevation compared to the more mountainous regions further to the west.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat, open spaces to the east and northeast of Woodland would be most appropriate. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy production:
- Extensive flat terrain, which minimizes the need for land preparation and allows for efficient panel layout
- Abundant sunshine due to the region's climate and lack of tall obstacles that could cast shadows
- Proximity to existing power infrastructure, as the Sacramento Valley is a developed agricultural region
- Lower-value agricultural land that may be more easily repurposed for solar farms
The areas immediately surrounding Davis and between Woodland and Sacramento would be particularly well-suited for large-scale solar PV projects. These locations combine the favorable topography with good access to transportation networks and nearby urban centers that could benefit from the generated power.
It's worth noting that while the gently rolling terrain to the west of Woodland could also accommodate solar installations, the flatter areas to the east would likely be more cost-effective and easier to develop on a large scale.
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: Tuesday 20th 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.
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Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
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