Based on historical Houston, TX data, solar panels that are tilted towards the equator at an angle equal to the latitude will produce the maximum solar energy output in Houston.[1]
Houston has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 4.55 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 10% greater than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 4.15 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in Houston that are always titled at the latitude of Houston (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 4.96 kWh/m2/day, or about 9% greater than the average monthly GHI of 4.55 kWh/m2/day and approximately 20% greater than the average monthly DNI of 4.15 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 Houston
Solar Radiation Data in Houston, TX
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in Houston.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for Houston, TX
Houston, TX has a average annual solar radiation value of 5.27 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in Houston is September with an average of 5.93 kWh/m2/day, followed by October at 5.85 kWh/m2/day and August at 5.67 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in Houston (Texas) are January with an average of 4.29 kWh/m2/day, followed by December with an average of 4.56 kWh/m2/day and February at 4.93 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: Houston vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in Houston
The average monthly solar radiation level in Houston, TX, of 5.27 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 34% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 20% 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: Houston vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average Houston 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 Houston, TX at this current time.
Solar Power Output in Houston
The Power of Solar in Houston, TX
Monthly AC solar system output averages for Houston (tx). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in Houston. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for Houston, TX
Houston (TX) has a average annual solar AC output value of 5783.01 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in Houston is October with an average of 547.15 kWhac, followed by September at 524.83 kWhac and August at 508.4 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in Houston (Texas) are January with an average of 416.81 kWhac, followed by February with an average of 425.6 kWhac and December at 435.88 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in Houston
Houston Electricity Costs
Sorry, Houston residential electricity prices are currently unavailable.
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Solar Power Poll: Houston
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Houston Natural Gas Costs
Sorry, Texas residential natural gas prices are currently unavailable.
The city of Houston, TX in Harris County has an approximate population of 2,099,451. [6]
Houston, TX Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power Houston, TX, or for more solar-related resources for Houston, 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.