Based on historical Foster City, 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 Foster City.[1]
Foster City has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 4.93 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 4% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 5.14 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in Foster City that are always titled at the latitude of Foster City (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 5.6 kWh/m2/day, or about 14% greater than the average monthly GHI of 4.93 kWh/m2/day and approximately 9% greater than the average monthly DNI of 5.14 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 Foster City
Solar Radiation Data in Foster City, CA
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in Foster City.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for Foster City, CA
Foster City, CA has a average annual solar radiation value of 5.83 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in Foster City is August with an average of 7.02 kWh/m2/day, followed by September at 6.98 kWh/m2/day and July at 6.91 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in Foster City (California) are December with an average of 3.9 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 4 kWh/m2/day and February at 4.69 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: Foster City vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in Foster City
The average monthly solar radiation level in Foster City, CA, of 5.83 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 48% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 12% 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: Foster City vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average Foster City 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 Foster City, CA at this current time.
Solar Power Output in Foster City
The Power of Solar in Foster City, CA
Monthly AC solar system output averages for Foster City (ca). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in Foster City. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for Foster City, CA
Foster City (CA) has a average annual solar AC output value of 6609.96 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in Foster City is August with an average of 659.58 kWhac, followed by July at 655.27 kWhac and September at 632.78 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in Foster City (California) are December with an average of 388.5 kWhac, followed by January with an average of 396.06 kWhac and February at 422.94 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in Foster City
Foster City Electricity Costs
Sorry, Foster City residential electricity prices are currently unavailable.
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Solar Power Poll: Foster City
Vote now: Given all of the data and analysis provided for Foster City, is solar power a good choice for residents of this city?
Foster City Natural Gas Costs
Sorry, California residential natural gas prices are currently unavailable.
The city of Foster City, CA in San Mateo County has an approximate population of 30,567. [6]
Foster City, CA Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power Foster City, CA, or for more solar-related resources for Foster City, visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Did you know?
Nineteen-year-old Edmund Becquerel, a French experimental physicist, discovered the basis of solar energy in 1839.