Based on historical Columbia, SD 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 3.89 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 12% less than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 4.4 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in Columbia that are always titled at the latitude of Columbia (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 4.63 kWh/m2/day, or about 19% greater than the average monthly GHI of 3.89 kWh/m2/day and approximately 5% greater than the average monthly DNI of 4.4 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, SD
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, SD
Columbia, SD has a average annual solar radiation value of 4.96 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in Columbia is July with an average of 6.54 kWh/m2/day, followed by August at 6.47 kWh/m2/day and June at 6.13 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in Columbia (South Dakota) are December with an average of 2.76 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 2.91 kWh/m2/day and November at 3.74 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, SD, of 4.96 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 26% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 25% 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, SD at this current time.
Solar Power Output in Columbia
The Power of Solar in Columbia, SD
Monthly AC solar system output averages for Columbia (sd). 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, SD
Columbia (SD) has a average annual solar AC output value of 5700.26 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in Columbia is July with an average of 604.19 kWhac, followed by August at 597.67 kWhac and June at 552.69 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in Columbia (South Dakota) are December with an average of 288.74 kWhac, followed by January with an average of 309.3 kWhac and November at 376.73 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in Columbia
Columbia Electricity Costs
Sorry, Columbia residential electricity prices are currently unavailable.
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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 Dakota residential natural gas prices are currently unavailable.
The city of Columbia, SD in Brown County has an approximate population of 136. [6]
Columbia, SD Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power Columbia, SD, or for more solar-related resources for Columbia, visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Did you know?
Nineteen-year-old Edmund Becquerel, a French experimental physicist, discovered the basis of solar energy in 1839.