![]() For the prospective homeowner considering solar, the next step is to review our: Three Tips for Solar Shoppers 1. By comparison, states with fewer peak sunlight hours can be just as ideal for solar panels, but will require more efficient solar equipment. In a state with strong peak sunlight, a panel with lower efficiency will likely do the trick. Solar panel efficiency typically ranges from 15 to 20 percent, but high-end solar panels like SunPower can offer efficiency levels as high as almost 23 percent and above. The cost of energy can be more of a deciding factor for the economics of solar than available sunlight – hence why a state like Massachusetts is a much more popular place for solar energy than many of the sunny Southeastern states where the cost of energy is low.įurthermore, in the case of states with high electricity prices but low peak sunlight hours, solar-interested homeowners can install higher-efficiency panels that will generate more power from less sunlight. Nevertheless, electricity prices in those states are high and there are a number of major states incentives that make solar affordable. ![]() However, number of peak sunlight hours is not the only factor that influences the cost-benefit ratio of solar energy.įor example, in states like Massachusetts and New York, sunshine is less plentiful. Conventional wisdom would say that the states with the highest sunlight hour averages are the best ones for solar. have higher average sun-hour values (Arizona, California), other top solar states are on the lower end for peak sun-hour averages (New York, Massachusetts). There are conflicting takeaways from this table: though many top states for solar in the U.S. Check out how the top states for solar power stack up in terms of average peak sunlight hours per day: Peak sun hours by state State homeowners will see major disparity in available sunlight depending on where they live. What are the average peak sunlight hours in my state?Īs mentioned above, U.S. The number of peak sun hours will increase the closer an area is to the equator and, more generally, during summer months. Peak sun-hours occur when the sun is highest in the sky. Peak sunlight hours describe the intensity of sunlight in a specific area. will have practically the same total daylight, some states may only average two peak sun-hours per day while others will average as many as seven.Ī peak sun-hour is typically defined as an hour of sunlight that offers 1,000 watts of photovoltaic power per square meter. What is a “peak sun hour”?Īn important clarification to make with the term “sun hour” is that it does not refer to merely hours of daylight. there certainly is a trend: having at least 4 hours of typical peak sunlight is best for solar panels. However, when looking at the best states for solar in the U.S. The simple answer to this question is that there is no simple answer because a home’s suitability for solar will depend on a number of factors: roof angle, electricity bill cost and available sunlight. In this article, we’ll explain which states offer the best sun hour value and how much sunlight intensity in your state should impact your decision to go solar. When weighing the decision of whether or not going solar makes sense for your roof or location, one of the first questions you may ask is “how many sun hours do I need for solar to be worth it?” The reason this question is important is because there is a significant range across the country for average peak sun hours.
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