Based on historical 51459 data, solar panels that are tilted towards the equator at an angle equal to the latitude will produce the maximum solar energy output in 51459.[1]
The region associated with 51459 has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 4.04 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 8% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 4.37 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in 51459 that are always titled at the latitude of Ralston (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 4.75 kWh/m2/day, or about 18% greater than the average monthly GHI of 4.04 kWh/m2/day and approximately 9% greater than the average monthly DNI of 4.37 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 51459
Solar Radiation Data in 51459
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in 51459.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for 51459
The region associated with 51459 has a average annual solar radiation value of 4.98 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in 51459 is August with an average of 6.06 kWh/m2/day, followed by July at 6.01 kWh/m2/day and June at 6.01 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in 51459 are December with an average of 3.15 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 3.25 kWh/m2/day and February at 3.96 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: 51459 vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in 51459
The average monthly solar radiation level in 51459, of 4.98 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 27% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 25% 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: 51459 vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average 51459 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 51459 at the current time.
Solar Power Output in 51459
The Power of Solar in 51459
Monthly AC solar system output averages for 51459. Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in 51459. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for 51459
51459 has a average annual solar AC output value of 5740.72 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in 51459 is July with an average of 564.55 kWhac, followed by August at 558.11 kWhac and May at 552.31 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in 51459 are December with an average of 328.96 kWhac, followed by January with an average of 339.45 kWhac and February at 370.48 kWhac. [2]
The ZIP code 51459 is associated with the city of Ralston in Carroll County in Iowa.
51459 Solar Energy & Power
To learn more about solar energy and solar power in 51459, or for more solar-related resources for IA, check out the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Did you know?
Nineteen-year-old Edmund Becquerel, a French experimental physicist, discovered the basis of solar energy in 1839.