Based on historical 81131 data, solar panels that always track the sun throughout the day will produce the maximum solar energy output in 81131.[1]
The region associated with 81131 has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 5.23 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 29% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 7.39 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in 81131 that are always titled at the latitude of Crestone (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 6.28 kWh/m2/day, or about 20% greater than the average monthly GHI of 5.23 kWh/m2/day and approximately 15% less than the average monthly DNI of 7.39 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 81131
Solar Radiation Data in 81131
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in 81131.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for 81131
The region associated with 81131 has a average annual solar radiation value of 6.16 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in 81131 is March with an average of 6.79 kWh/m2/day, followed by June at 6.75 kWh/m2/day and April at 6.71 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in 81131 are December with an average of 4.8 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 4.94 kWh/m2/day and February at 5.7 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: 81131 vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in 81131
The average monthly solar radiation level in 81131, of 6.16 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 57% 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: 81131 vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average 81131 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 have data on solar panel installations in ZIP Code 81131 at the current time.
Solar Power Output in 81131
The Power of Solar in 81131
Monthly AC solar system output averages for 81131. Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in 81131. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for 81131
81131 has a average annual solar AC output value of 7021.19 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in 81131 is March with an average of 667.46 kWhac, followed by May at 648.1 kWhac and April at 641.41 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in 81131 are December with an average of 493.73 kWhac, followed by January with an average of 505.05 kWhac and February at 510.7 kWhac. [2]
Light breeze: 5 mps SE
Precip.: Chance of Snow
Humidity: 49%
Cloud cover: 100%
Tue Jan 7
19°F
Light Snow
Min: 13°F
Max: 22°F
Gentle Breeze: 9 mps NE
Precip.: Chance of Snow
Humidity: 76%
Cloud cover: 100%
More about 81131
About 81131
The ZIP code 81131 is associated with the city of Crestone in Saguache County in Colorado.
81131 Solar Energy & Power
To learn more about solar energy and solar power in 81131, or for more solar-related resources for CO, check out 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.