Based on historical Charleston, WV data, solar panels that are tilted towards the equator at an angle equal to the latitude will produce the maximum solar energy output in Charleston.[1]
Charleston has an average monthly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 3.96 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which is approximately 7% greater than the average monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 3.71 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar installations in Charleston that are always titled at the latitude of Charleston (Average Tilt at Latitude or ATaL) average 4.5 kWh/m2/day, or about 14% greater than the average monthly GHI of 3.96 kWh/m2/day and approximately 21% greater than the average monthly DNI of 3.71 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 Charleston
Solar Radiation Data in Charleston, WV
See the chart below for monthly solar radiation levels in Charleston.
* Amounts listed in kWh/m2/day (kilowatt hours per square meter per day)
Solar Radiation Analysis for Charleston, WV
Charleston, WV has a average annual solar radiation value of 4.73 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day). [1]
The month with the highest historical solar radition values in Charleston is August with an average of 5.7 kWh/m2/day, followed by May at 5.5 kWh/m2/day and September at 5.48 kWh/m2/day. [1]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar radiation levels in Charleston (West Virginia) are December with an average of 2.95 kWh/m2/day, followed by January with an average of 3.26 kWh/m2/day and February at 4.02 kWh/m2/day. [1]
Solar Power Comparison: Charleston vs. the U.S.
Solar Power Levels in Charleston
The average monthly solar radiation level in Charleston, WV, of 4.73 kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day) is approximately 20% greater than the average level of 3.93 kWh/m2/day in a city with historically low levels (WA) and is approximately 28% 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: Charleston vs. the U.S.
Below is a month-by-month comparison of how average Charleston 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 Charleston, WV at this current time.
Solar Power Output in Charleston
The Power of Solar in Charleston, WV
Monthly AC solar system output averages for Charleston (wv). Month-by-month solar power, as ranked by AC output, in Charleston. [2]
* Amounts listed in kWhac (kilowatt hours (AC))
Solar Output Analysis for Charleston, WV
Charleston (WV) has a average annual solar AC output value of 5178.62 kilowatt hours (AC). [2]
The month with the highest historical solar power output in Charleston is August with an average of 510.82 kWhac, followed by May at 509.09 kWhac and July at 494.21 kWhac. [2]
The three months that historically average the lowest average solar output levels in Charleston (West Virginia) are December with an average of 293.42 kWhac, followed by January with an average of 321.25 kWhac and February at 352.64 kWhac. [2]
Cost of Utilities in Charleston
Charleston Electricity Costs
Sorry, Charleston residential electricity prices are currently unavailable.
Please check back later.
Solar Power Poll: Charleston
Vote now: Given all of the data and analysis provided for Charleston, is solar power a good choice for residents of this city?
Charleston Natural Gas Costs
Sorry, West Virginia residential natural gas prices are currently unavailable.
The city of Charleston, WV in Kanawha County has an approximate population of 51,400. [6]
Charleston, WV Solar Energy
To learn more about solar energy and solar power Charleston, WV, or for more solar-related resources for Charleston, visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Did you know?
About half of the sun's energy is absorbed by the Earth's surface; about 30 percent is reflected back from the surface.
