Based on historical Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara.[1]
Santa Clara 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 5.79 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in Santa Clara that are always titled at the latitude of Santa Clara (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 5.79 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 Santa Clara
Solar Radiation Data in Santa Clara, CA
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in Santa Clara.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara is August with an average of 7.26 kWh/m2/day, followed by July at 7.16 kWh/m2/day and September at 7.09 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in Santa Clara (California) are January with an average of 4 kWh/m2/day, followed by December with an average of 4.01 kWh/m2/day and February at 4.51 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: Santa Clara vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in Santa Clara
The average monthly solar radiation level in Santa Clara, 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: Santa Clara vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara, CA at this current time.
Solar Power Output in Santa Clara
The Power of Solar in Santa Clara, CA
Monthly AC solar system output averages for Santa Clara (ca). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in Santa Clara. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara (CA) has a average annual solar AC output value of 6589.2 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in Santa Clara is August with an average of 668.71 kWhac, followed by July at 662.71 kWhac and June at 627.54 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in Santa Clara (California) are January with an average of 392.52 kWhac, followed by December with an average of 393.66 kWhac and February at 397.13 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in Santa Clara
Santa Clara Electricity Costs
Sorry, Santa Clara residential electricity prices are currently unavailable.
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Solar Power Poll: Santa Clara
Vote now: Given all of the data and analysis provided for Santa Clara, is solar power a good choice for residents of this city?
Santa Clara Natural Gas Costs
Sorry, California residential natural gas prices are currently unavailable.
The city of Santa Clara, CA in Santa Clara County has an approximate population of 116,468. [6]
Santa Clara, CA Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power Santa Clara, CA, or for more solar-related resources for Santa Clara, 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.
