Based on historical Saco, ME data, solar panels that are tilted towards the equator at an angle equal to the latitude will produce the maximum solar energy output in Saco.[1]
Saco has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 3.8 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 7% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 4.09 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in Saco that are always titled at the latitude of Saco (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 4.6 kWh/m2/day, or about 21% greater than the average monthly GHI of 3.8 kWh/m2/day and approximately 12% greater than the average monthly DNI of 4.09 kWh/m2/day. [1]
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 Saco
Solar Radiation Data in Saco, ME
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in Saco.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for Saco, ME
Saco, ME has a average annual solar radiation value of 4.67 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in Saco is July with an average of 5.73 kWh/m2/day, followed by August at 5.56 kWh/m2/day and June at 5.38 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in Saco (Maine) are December with an average of 2.91 kWh/m2/day, followed by November with an average of 3.11 kWh/m2/day and January at 3.63 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: Saco vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in Saco
The average monthly solar radiation level in Saco, ME, of 4.67 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 25% greater than the average level of 3.73 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 29% less than the average level of 6.6 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically high levels (NV). [1]
→ Values listed as 0 (zero) are not available (N/A).
Solar Power: vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average Saco 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 Saco, ME at this current time.
However, Saco is in York County and York County has at least 76 solar insallations right now. [1]
Solar Power Output in Saco
The Power of Solar in Saco, ME
Monthly AC solar system output averages for Saco (me). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in Saco. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for Saco, ME
Saco (ME) has a average annual solar AC output value of 5530.26 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in Saco is July with an average of 546.45 kWhac, followed by August at 535.57 kWhac and May at 532.25 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in Saco (Maine) are December with an average of 311.88 kWhac, followed by November with an average of 311.96 kWhac and January at 387.49 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in Saco
Saco Electricity Costs
Electricity prices (residential) in Saco averaged 16.38 cents per kilowatthour (¢/kWh) in November 2018, which was about 26% more than the overall U.S. average residential electricity rate of 12.95¢/kWh in November. [3]
Solar Power Poll: Saco
Vote now: Given all of the data and analysis provided for Saco, is solar power a good choice for residents of this city?
Saco Natural Gas Costs
Natural gas prices (residential) in Maine averaged $14.52 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) in November 2018, which was approximately 54% more than the overall U.S. average residential natural gas rate of $9.43 per Mcf in November. [4]
The Solar Foundation recently published the National Solar Jobs Census 2015, its yearly update of current employment, job trends, and growth projections in the U.S. Read More
Technology powerhouse Apple was granted 53 new patents last week, and one of the new patents deals specifically with technology that is directly related to … Read More
Gentle Breeze: 4 mps NE
Precip.: Chance of Snow
Humidity: 0%
Cloud cover: 100%
More about Saco
About Saco
The city of Saco, ME in York County has an approximate population of 18,482. [6]
Saco, ME Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power Saco, ME, or for more solar-related resources for Saco, visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Did you know?
About half of the sun's energy is absorbed by the Earth's surface; about 30 percent is reflected back from the surface.