Based on historical San Rafael, 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 Rafael.[1]
San Rafael has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 4.96 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 8% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 5.42 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in San Rafael that are always titled at the latitude of San Rafael (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 5.67 kWh/m2/day, or about 14% greater than the average monthly GHI of 4.96 kWh/m2/day and approximately 5% greater than the average monthly DNI of 5.42 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 Rafael
Solar Radiation Data in San Rafael, CA
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in San Rafael.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for San Rafael, CA
San Rafael, CA has a average annual solar radiation value of 5.8 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in San Rafael is August with an average of 7.16 kWh/m2/day, followed by June at 7.06 kWh/m2/day and July at 7.06 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in San Rafael (California) are January with an average of 3.69 kWh/m2/day, followed by December with an average of 3.76 kWh/m2/day and November at 4.45 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: San Rafael vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in San Rafael
The average monthly solar radiation level in San Rafael, CA, of 5.8 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: San Rafael vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average San Rafael 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 Rafael, CA at this current time.
Solar Power Output in San Rafael
The Power of Solar in San Rafael, CA
Monthly AC solar system output averages for San Rafael (ca). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in San Rafael. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for San Rafael, CA
San Rafael (CA) has a average annual solar AC output value of 6474.06 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in San Rafael is August with an average of 666.15 kWhac, followed by July at 659.6 kWhac and May at 642.74 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in San Rafael (California) are January with an average of 362.16 kWhac, followed by December with an average of 366.89 kWhac and February at 406.22 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in San Rafael
San Rafael Electricity Costs
Sorry, San Rafael residential electricity prices are currently unavailable.
Please check back later.
Solar Power Poll: San Rafael
Vote now: Given all of the data and analysis provided for San Rafael, is solar power a good choice for residents of this city?
San Rafael Natural Gas Costs
Sorry, California residential natural gas prices are currently unavailable.
The city of San Rafael, CA in Marin County has an approximate population of 57,713. [6]
San Rafael, CA Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power San Rafael, CA, or for more solar-related resources for San Rafael, visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Did you know?
Solar cells convert sunlight into electricity through a physical process known as the photovoltaic effect.
