Based on historical Petaluma, 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 Petaluma.[1]
Petaluma has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 4.91 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 8% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 5.35 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in Petaluma that are always titled at the latitude of Petaluma (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 5.62 kWh/m2/day, or about 14% greater than the average monthly GHI of 4.91 kWh/m2/day and approximately 5% greater than the average monthly DNI of 5.35 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 Petaluma
Solar Radiation Data in Petaluma, CA
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in Petaluma.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for Petaluma, CA
Petaluma, CA has a average annual solar radiation value of 5.71 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in Petaluma is August with an average of 6.96 kWh/m2/day, followed by July at 6.91 kWh/m2/day and June at 6.85 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in Petaluma (California) are January with an average of 3.63 kWh/m2/day, followed by December with an average of 3.69 kWh/m2/day and February at 4.44 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: Petaluma vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in Petaluma
The average monthly solar radiation level in Petaluma, CA, of 5.71 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 45% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 14% 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: Petaluma vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average Petaluma 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 Petaluma, CA at this current time.
Solar Power Output in Petaluma
The Power of Solar in Petaluma, CA
Monthly AC solar system output averages for Petaluma (ca). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in Petaluma. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for Petaluma, CA
Petaluma (CA) has a average annual solar AC output value of 6319.87 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in Petaluma is August with an average of 638.62 kWhac, followed by July at 635.91 kWhac and May at 625.45 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in Petaluma (California) are January with an average of 356.52 kWhac, followed by December with an average of 362.4 kWhac and February at 393.03 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in Petaluma
Petaluma Electricity Costs
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Solar Power Poll: Petaluma
Vote now: Given all of the data and analysis provided for Petaluma, is solar power a good choice for residents of this city?
Petaluma Natural Gas Costs
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The city of Petaluma, CA in Sonoma County has an approximate population of 57,941. [6]
Petaluma, CA Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power Petaluma, CA, or for more solar-related resources for Petaluma, 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.