Based on historical San Jose, 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 Jose.[1]
San Jose has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 5.12 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 12% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 5.83 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in San Jose that are always titled at the latitude of San Jose (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 5.86 kWh/m2/day, or about 14% greater than the average monthly GHI of 5.12 kWh/m2/day and approximately 1% greater than the average monthly DNI of 5.83 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 Jose
Solar Radiation Data in San Jose, CA
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in San Jose.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for San Jose, CA
San Jose, CA has a average annual solar radiation value of 5.96 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in San Jose is August with an average of 7.29 kWh/m2/day, followed by July at 7.23 kWh/m2/day and September at 7.04 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in San Jose (California) are December with an average of 4.17 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 4.2 kWh/m2/day and February at 4.63 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: San Jose vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in San Jose
The average monthly solar radiation level in San Jose, CA, of 5.96 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 52% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 10% 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 Jose vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average San Jose 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 Jose, CA at this current time.
Solar Power Output in San Jose
The Power of Solar in San Jose, CA
Monthly AC solar system output averages for San Jose (ca). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in San Jose. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for San Jose, CA
San Jose (CA) has a average annual solar AC output value of 6653.93 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in San Jose is July with an average of 673.86 kWhac, followed by August at 671.38 kWhac and May at 622.43 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in San Jose (California) are December with an average of 405.25 kWhac, followed by February with an average of 410.45 kWhac and January at 411.25 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in San Jose
San Jose Electricity Costs
Sorry, San Jose residential electricity prices are currently unavailable.
Please check back later.
Solar Power Poll: San Jose
Vote now: Given all of the data and analysis provided for San Jose, is solar power a good choice for residents of this city?
San Jose Natural Gas Costs
Sorry, California residential natural gas prices are currently unavailable.
The city of San Jose, CA in Santa Clara County has an approximate population of 945,942. [6]
San Jose, CA Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power San Jose, CA, or for more solar-related resources for San Jose, visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Did you know?
Some tax incentives and rebate programs are designed to spur the use of solar energy. These vary by location.