Based on historical Sonora, CA data, solar panels that always track the sun throughout the day will produce the maximum solar energy output in Sonora.[1]
Sonora has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 5.19 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 16% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 6.19 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in Sonora that are always titled at the latitude of Sonora (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 5.95 kWh/m2/day, or about 15% greater than the average monthly GHI of 5.19 kWh/m2/day and approximately 4% less than the average monthly DNI of 6.19 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 Sonora
Solar Radiation Data in Sonora, CA
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in Sonora.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for Sonora, CA
Sonora, CA has a average annual solar radiation value of 6.02 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in Sonora is August with an average of 7.59 kWh/m2/day, followed by July at 7.43 kWh/m2/day and September at 7.15 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in Sonora (California) are December with an average of 4.24 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 4.37 kWh/m2/day and February at 4.51 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: Sonora vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in Sonora
The average monthly solar radiation level in Sonora, CA, of 6.02 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 53% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 9% 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: Sonora vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average Sonora 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 Sonora, CA at this current time.
Solar Power Output in Sonora
The Power of Solar in Sonora, CA
Monthly AC solar system output averages for Sonora (ca). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in Sonora. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for Sonora, CA
Sonora (CA) has a average annual solar AC output value of 6608.68 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in Sonora is August with an average of 677.99 kWhac, followed by July at 663.48 kWhac and September at 623.62 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in Sonora (California) are February with an average of 394.09 kWhac, followed by December with an average of 417.63 kWhac and January at 425.17 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in Sonora
Sonora Electricity Costs
Sorry, Sonora residential electricity prices are currently unavailable.
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Solar Power Poll: Sonora
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Sonora Natural Gas Costs
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Calm: 3 mps NE
Precip.: Chance of Rain
Humidity: 64%
Cloud cover: 100%
More about Sonora
About Sonora
The city of Sonora, CA in Tuolumne County has an approximate population of 4,903. [6]
Sonora, CA Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power Sonora, CA, or for more solar-related resources for Sonora, 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.