Based on historical Costa Mesa, CA data, solar panels that are tilted towards the equator at an angle equal to the latitude will produce the maximum solar energy output in Costa Mesa.[1]
Costa Mesa has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 5.02 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 6% greater than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 4.72 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in Costa Mesa that are always titled at the latitude of Costa Mesa (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 5.68 kWh/m2/day, or about 13% greater than the average monthly GHI of 5.02 kWh/m2/day and approximately 20% greater than the average monthly DNI of 4.72 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Energy Glossary
Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI)
Global Horizontal Irradiance: The total amount of solar radiation that is received per unit area by a surface that is always positioned in a horizontal manner.
Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI)
Direct Normal Irradiance: The total amount of solar radiation received per unit area by a surface that is always perpendicular to the sun rays that come in a straight line from the direction of the sun at its current position in the sky.
Average Tilt at Latitude (ATaL)
Average Tilt at Latitude: The total amount of solar radiation received per unit area by a surface that is tilted toward the equator at an angle equal to the current latitude. ATaL will often produce the optimum energy output.
Solar Radiation Levels in Costa Mesa
Solar Radiation Data in Costa Mesa, CA
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in Costa Mesa.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa, CA has a average annual solar radiation value of 6.01 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in Costa Mesa is August with an average of 6.76 kWh/m2/day, followed by September at 6.69 kWh/m2/day and April at 6.6 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in Costa Mesa (California) are December with an average of 4.79 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 5.27 kWh/m2/day and February at 5.63 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: Costa Mesa vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in Costa Mesa
The average monthly solar radiation level in Costa Mesa, CA, of 6.01 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 53% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 9% less than the average level of 6.61 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically high levels (NV). [1]
→ Values listed as 0 (zero) are not available (N/A).
Solar Power: Costa Mesa vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average Costa Mesa solar radiation levels compare to average levels in a city with historcially high levels (NV) and a city with historically low levels (WA). [1]
→ k/m/d = kWh/m2/day = kilowatt hours per square meter per day.
→ Values listed as 0 (zero) are not available (N/A).
We do not currently have data on solar panel installations in the city of Costa Mesa, CA at this current time.
Solar Power Output in Costa Mesa
The Power of Solar in Costa Mesa, CA
Monthly AC solar system output averages for Costa Mesa (ca). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in Costa Mesa. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa (CA) has a average annual solar AC output value of 6687.67 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in Costa Mesa is August with an average of 623.61 kWhac, followed by March at 609.44 kWhac and April at 606.65 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in Costa Mesa (California) are December with an average of 465.66 kWhac, followed by February with an average of 492.11 kWhac and January at 505.36 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa Electricity Costs
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Solar Power Poll: Costa Mesa
Vote now: Given all of the data and analysis provided for Costa Mesa, is solar power a good choice for residents of this city?
Costa Mesa Natural Gas Costs
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Light breeze: 7 mps NNE
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Cloud cover: 100%
More about Costa Mesa
About Costa Mesa
The city of Costa Mesa, CA in Orange County has an approximate population of 109,960. [6]
Costa Mesa, CA Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power Costa Mesa, CA, or for more solar-related resources for Costa Mesa, visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Did you know?
About half of the sun's energy is absorbed by the Earth's surface; about 30 percent is reflected back from the surface.
