Based on historical Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto.[1]
Palo Alto has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 5.01 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 7% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 5.4 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in Palo Alto that are always titled at the latitude of Palo Alto (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 5.72 kWh/m2/day, or about 14% greater than the average monthly GHI of 5.01 kWh/m2/day and approximately 6% greater than the average monthly DNI of 5.4 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 Palo Alto
Solar Radiation Data in Palo Alto, CA
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in Palo Alto.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA has a average annual solar radiation value of 5.91 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in Palo Alto is August with an average of 7.18 kWh/m2/day, followed by July at 7.05 kWh/m2/day and September at 6.88 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in Palo Alto (California) are December with an average of 4.04 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 4.38 kWh/m2/day and February at 4.79 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: Palo Alto vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in Palo Alto
The average monthly solar radiation level in Palo Alto, CA, of 5.91 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 50% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 11% 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: Palo Alto vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto, CA at this current time.
Solar Power Output in Palo Alto
The Power of Solar in Palo Alto, CA
Monthly AC solar system output averages for Palo Alto (ca). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in Palo Alto. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto (CA) has a average annual solar AC output value of 6640.2 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in Palo Alto is August with an average of 671.13 kWhac, followed by July at 664.55 kWhac and May at 631.1 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in Palo Alto (California) are December with an average of 393.74 kWhac, followed by February with an average of 425.74 kWhac and January at 426.29 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in Palo Alto
Palo Alto Electricity Costs
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Solar Power Poll: Palo Alto
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Palo Alto Natural Gas Costs
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The city of Palo Alto, CA in Santa Clara County has an approximate population of 64,403. [6]
Palo Alto, CA Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power Palo Alto, CA, or for more solar-related resources for Palo Alto, visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Did you know?
Various missions to space by different countries are known to utilize solar energy as a main power source.