Based on historical 87020 data, solar panels that always track the sun throughout the day will produce the maximum solar energy output in 87020.[1]
The region associated with 87020 has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 5.37 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 27% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 7.36 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in 87020 that are always titled at the latitude of Grants (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 6.34 kWh/m2/day, or about 18% greater than the average monthly GHI of 5.37 kWh/m2/day and approximately 14% less than the average monthly DNI of 7.36 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 87020
Solar Radiation Data in 87020
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in 87020.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for 87020
The region associated with 87020 has a average annual solar radiation value of 6.36 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in 87020 is March with an average of 6.96 kWh/m2/day, followed by April at 6.95 kWh/m2/day and May at 6.87 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in 87020 are December with an average of 5.47 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 5.82 kWh/m2/day and August at 5.93 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: 87020 vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in 87020
The average monthly solar radiation level in 87020, of 6.36 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 62% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 4% 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: 87020 vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average 87020 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 87020 at the current time.
Solar Power Output in 87020
The Power of Solar in 87020
Monthly AC solar system output averages for 87020. Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in 87020. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for 87020
87020 has a average annual solar AC output value of 7197.15 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in 87020 is March with an average of 673.88 kWhac, followed by April at 655.69 kWhac and May at 644.11 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in 87020 are August with an average of 549.37 kWhac, followed by December with an average of 552.54 kWhac and July at 556.33 kWhac. [2]
The ZIP code 87020 is associated with the city of Grants in Cibola County in New Mexico.
87020 Solar Energy & Power
To learn more about solar energy and solar power in 87020, or for more solar-related resources for NM, check out 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.