Based on historical 57701 data, solar panels that always track the sun throughout the day will produce the maximum solar energy output in 57701.[1]
The region associated with 57701 has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 4.3 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 20% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 5.37 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in 57701 that are always titled at the latitude of Rapid City (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 5.31 kWh/m2/day, or about 23% greater than the average monthly GHI of 4.3 kWh/m2/day and approximately 1% less than the average monthly DNI of 5.37 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 57701
Solar Radiation Data in 57701
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in 57701.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for 57701
The region associated with 57701 has a average annual solar radiation value of 5.42 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in 57701 is July with an average of 6.67 kWh/m2/day, followed by August at 6.59 kWh/m2/day and September at 6.42 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in 57701 are December with an average of 3.84 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 3.94 kWh/m2/day and November at 4.32 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: 57701 vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in 57701
The average monthly solar radiation level in 57701, of 5.42 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 38% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 18% 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: 57701 vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average 57701 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 57701 at the current time.
Solar Power Output in 57701
The Power of Solar in 57701
Monthly AC solar system output averages for 57701. Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in 57701. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for 57701
57701 has a average annual solar AC output value of 6156.28 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in 57701 is July with an average of 614.16 kWhac, followed by August at 607.94 kWhac and September at 583.86 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in 57701 are December with an average of 392.84 kWhac, followed by January with an average of 403.69 kWhac and November at 421.41 kWhac. [2]
The ZIP code 57701 is associated with the city of Rapid City in Pennington County in South Dakota.
57701 Solar Energy & Power
To learn more about solar energy and solar power in 57701, or for more solar-related resources for SD, check out the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Did you know?
Solar cells convert sunlight into electricity through a physical process known as the photovoltaic effect.