Solar Energy Potential in Lakewood, California

Lakewood, California, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 33.8515, -118.142, offers a favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences strong seasonal variations in solar production that are worth understanding if you're considering installing solar panels. The solar energy output in Lakewood follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer stands out as the most productive season, generating approximately 7.12kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 6.82kWh/day. Production decreases in autumn to 4.79kWh/day, while winter represents the lowest output period with 3.66kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Optimal Installation for Maximum Production

For fixed solar panel installations in Lakewood, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 30 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture throughout the changing seasons, taking into account the location's latitude and the sun's varying position throughout the year. The most productive months for solar generation in Lakewood are May through August, when longer days and the sun's higher position in the sky create optimal conditions for energy production. Even during winter months, this Southern California location continues to produce meaningful solar output, making it a viable location for year-round solar energy generation.

Environmental Considerations

While Lakewood enjoys generally favorable conditions for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider. Coastal morning fog can occasionally reduce morning production, particularly during late spring and early summer months. This marine layer typically burns off by mid-morning, limiting its impact on daily totals. Urban air pollution from the greater Los Angeles area may also slightly reduce solar efficiency on certain days. Regular panel cleaning is recommended to mitigate the effects of dust and particulate buildup that can accumulate more quickly in urban environments. To maximize production at this location, consider these preventative measures:

• Schedule quarterly panel cleanings to remove urban dust and pollution deposits
• Install panels with anti-reflective coatings that perform better in diffuse light conditions during foggy mornings
• Consider micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize production losses when some panels may be partially shaded
• Ensure adequate spacing between panel rows to prevent self-shading, particularly during winter months when the sun is lower

Overall, Lakewood presents an excellent location for solar PV installation, with strong year-round production potential that significantly exceeds many other U.S. locations, especially those in more northern regions.

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 Lakewood, California

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.8515, Longitude: -118.142 (Lakewood, 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 30° South in Lakewood, California, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lakewood, California, United States (Lat/Long 33.8515, -118.142) 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 Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, California, 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 Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, California, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Lakewood, California, United States

The topography around Lakewood, California, is predominantly characterized by flat, coastal plains typical of the Los Angeles Basin. Lakewood sits at an elevation of approximately 50 feet (15 meters) above sea level, with minimal variation in elevation throughout the city. This area is part of a broad alluvial plain formed by sediment deposits from the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers over thousands of years. The surrounding region features a relatively uniform, level landscape with gentle slopes. To the west lies the Pacific Ocean, approximately 5 miles away, while the terrain gradually rises eastward toward the Puente Hills and northward toward the San Gabriel Mountains, though these elevated features are several miles distant from Lakewood proper. The Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers have carved shallow valleys through this plain, creating subtle topographic variations.

Solar PV Potential in the Region

Given the topographic characteristics of the Lakewood area, several nearby locations offer promising conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The flat terrain is inherently advantageous for solar development, as it minimizes grading costs and simplifies construction. The areas east of Lakewood, extending toward San Bernardino County, present particularly suitable conditions for large-scale solar installations. These inland regions experience less coastal influence, resulting in clearer atmospheric conditions. The gradual rise in elevation as one moves eastward also contributes to improved solar exposure. Specifically, the undeveloped or less densely populated portions of eastern Los Angeles County and western San Bernardino County offer the most practical locations for large-scale solar PV development. These areas combine favorable topography with sufficient open space—a critical factor in the densely populated Los Angeles metropolitan region. The Antelope Valley, located approximately 60 miles north of Lakewood, represents another excellent opportunity for solar development. This high desert region features flat terrain, minimal cloud cover, and abundant open land. Indeed, several large solar installations already operate in this area, taking advantage of the favorable conditions. While Lakewood itself has limited open space for utility-scale solar development, its flat topography makes it suitable for distributed rooftop solar systems across residential and commercial properties. The consistent elevation throughout the city ensures relatively uniform solar access across different neighborhoods.

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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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.