Based on historical Columbia, SC data, solar panels that are tilted towards the equator at an angle equal to the latitude will produce the maximum solar energy output in Columbia.[1]
Columbia has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 4.58 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 1% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 4.61 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in Columbia that are always titled at the latitude of Columbia (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 5.22 kWh/m2/day, or about 14% greater than the average monthly GHI of 4.58 kWh/m2/day and approximately 13% greater than the average monthly DNI of 4.61 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 Columbia
Solar Radiation Data in Columbia, SC
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in Columbia.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC has a average annual solar radiation value of 5.38 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in Columbia is May with an average of 5.88 kWh/m2/day, followed by June at 5.84 kWh/m2/day and April at 5.82 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in Columbia (South Carolina) are December with an average of 4.25 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 4.75 kWh/m2/day and November at 5.08 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: Columbia vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in Columbia
The average monthly solar radiation level in Columbia, SC, of 5.38 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 37% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 19% 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: Columbia vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average Columbia 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 Columbia, SC at this current time.
Solar Power Output in Columbia
The Power of Solar in Columbia, SC
Monthly AC solar system output averages for Columbia (sc). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in Columbia. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for Columbia, SC
Columbia (SC) has a average annual solar AC output value of 5920.68 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in Columbia is May with an average of 540.4 kWhac, followed by October at 529.2 kWhac and April at 528.58 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in Columbia (South Carolina) are December with an average of 420.81 kWhac, followed by February with an average of 461.97 kWhac and January at 465.06 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in Columbia
Columbia Electricity Costs
Sorry, Columbia residential electricity prices are currently unavailable.
Please check back later.
Solar Power Poll: Columbia
Vote now: Given all of the data and analysis provided for Columbia, is solar power a good choice for residents of this city?
Columbia Natural Gas Costs
Sorry, South Carolina residential natural gas prices are currently unavailable.
The city of Columbia, SC in Richland County has an approximate population of 129,272. [6]
Columbia, SC Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power Columbia, SC, or for more solar-related resources for Columbia, visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Did you know?
It takes light about 8 minutes, 19 seconds to travel the 93,000,000 miles from the sun's surface to us on Earth.