Based on historical San Diego, 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 San Diego.[1]
San Diego has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 5.26 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 9% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 5.76 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in San Diego that are always titled at the latitude of San Diego (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 6.03 kWh/m2/day, or about 15% greater than the average monthly GHI of 5.26 kWh/m2/day and approximately 5% greater than the average monthly DNI of 5.76 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 San Diego
Solar Radiation Data in San Diego, CA
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in San Diego.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for San Diego, CA
San Diego, CA has a average annual solar radiation value of 6.13 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in San Diego is August with an average of 6.84 kWh/m2/day, followed by September at 6.67 kWh/m2/day and October at 6.36 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in San Diego (California) are December with an average of 5.38 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 5.63 kWh/m2/day and February at 5.68 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: San Diego vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in San Diego
The average monthly solar radiation level in San Diego, CA, of 6.13 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 56% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 7% 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: San Diego vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average San Diego 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 San Diego, CA at this current time.
Solar Power Output in San Diego
The Power of Solar in San Diego, CA
Monthly AC solar system output averages for San Diego (ca). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in San Diego. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for San Diego, CA
San Diego (CA) has a average annual solar AC output value of 6812.15 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in San Diego is August with an average of 626.87 kWhac, followed by March at 596.57 kWhac and May at 595.25 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in San Diego (California) are February with an average of 493.51 kWhac, followed by December with an average of 520.9 kWhac and November at 530.16 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in San Diego
San Diego Electricity Costs
Sorry, San Diego residential electricity prices are currently unavailable.
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Solar Power Poll: San Diego
Vote now: Given all of the data and analysis provided for San Diego, is solar power a good choice for residents of this city?
San Diego Natural Gas Costs
Sorry, California residential natural gas prices are currently unavailable.
The city of San Diego, CA in San Diego County has an approximate population of 1,307,402. [6]
San Diego, CA Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power San Diego, CA, or for more solar-related resources for San Diego, visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Did you know?
The solar energy that strikes the Earth in one hour could provide all of the Earth's energy needs for a complete year.