Based on historical Grand Forks, ND data, solar panels that are tilted towards the equator at an angle equal to the latitude will produce the maximum solar energy output in Grand Forks.[1]
Grand Forks has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 3.6 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 10% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 3.98 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in Grand Forks that are always titled at the latitude of Grand Forks (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 4.29 kWh/m2/day, or about 19% greater than the average monthly GHI of 3.6 kWh/m2/day and approximately 8% greater than the average monthly DNI of 3.98 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 Grand Forks
Solar Radiation Data in Grand Forks, ND
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in Grand Forks.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for Grand Forks, ND
Grand Forks, ND has a average annual solar radiation value of 4.63 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in Grand Forks is July with an average of 6.43 kWh/m2/day, followed by August at 6.1 kWh/m2/day and June at 5.74 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in Grand Forks (North Dakota) are December with an average of 2.41 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 2.89 kWh/m2/day and November at 2.93 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: Grand Forks vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in Grand Forks
The average monthly solar radiation level in Grand Forks, ND, of 4.63 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 18% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 30% 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: Grand Forks vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks, ND at this current time.
Solar Power Output in Grand Forks
The Power of Solar in Grand Forks, ND
Monthly AC solar system output averages for Grand Forks (nd). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in Grand Forks. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for Grand Forks, ND
Grand Forks (ND) has a average annual solar AC output value of 5380.25 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in Grand Forks is July with an average of 597.27 kWhac, followed by August at 566.7 kWhac and April at 542.73 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in Grand Forks (North Dakota) are December with an average of 255.6 kWhac, followed by November with an average of 295.17 kWhac and January at 317.58 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in Grand Forks
Grand Forks Electricity Costs
Sorry, Grand Forks residential electricity prices are currently unavailable.
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Solar Power Poll: Grand Forks
Vote now: Given all of the data and analysis provided for Grand Forks, is solar power a good choice for residents of this city?
Grand Forks Natural Gas Costs
Sorry, North Dakota residential natural gas prices are currently unavailable.
The city of Grand Forks, ND in Grand Forks County has an approximate population of 52,838. [6]
Grand Forks, ND Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power Grand Forks, ND, or for more solar-related resources for Grand Forks, 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.
