Peak Sun Hours & Sun Maps Explained. Determine Your Sunshine Hours With a Sun Map

he sun is shining on all points of the globe, although with varying intensity in different regions. That is where a solar mapping tool really comes into play for those who would like to know how much sunlight their location receives. Below, let's see the benefits it has to offer people who are considering going solar.

What is a solar insolation map?

A sun map provides you with the basic information concerning solar resources in your area. A solar power map for a city, state, or country is a map that shows the amount of sunlight that this place receives on average. For instance, a sun map created by the NREL shows the average daily quantity of solar power across the U.S. measured in kilowatt hours per square meter. Another example of a sunlight map is Solar Mapper by SEIA.

When do you need a sun map?

These solar mapping tools may prove useful if you plan on buying a solar power system. With solar potential information at your disposal, you can easily make an estimate for the size of your photovoltaic power system through this simple formula: Average Daily Power Consumption ÷ Average Daily Peak Sun Hours ÷ Solar Panel’s Efficiency = Number of Panels your house requires to meet its power needs

What is a peak sun hour?

You may be receiving around 8 hours of sun daily in your location. It, however, doesn't mean that your location experiences 8 peak sun hours. In solar vocabulary, the term "peak sun hour" designates the intensity of sunshine and not its duration. In technical terms, one peak sun hour is equal to one hour of solar radiation averaging 1,000 W/m2.

Why do peak sun hours vary by area?

The equatorial territories typically get stronger sunlight; hence, most southern states in the U.S. get more extensive sun peaks compared to the northern ones. Sunlight is more intense in regions closer to the equator, which is why U.S. southern states generally experience more peak sun than northern territories. Apart from mere proximity to the equator, another condition that would affect the intensity of solar radiation is the number of cloud-free days. Across southwestern states, more days are clear of clouds, creating great conditions for solar power generation.

What are the average peak sun hours in my state?

Most of the states in the US receive between 3 to 5 peak sunlight hours per day. The table below shows the typical solar radiance of 10 randomly selected US states.

Anyway, it is just an average. One can easily find more precise data related to solar insulation and peak sun hours for any address using their ZIP code.

How many PSH should you have to go solar?

It's a no-brainer to opt for solar panels if your US home consistently gets 4 hours of peak daylight. But even if it's less according to the sun map, solar energy's benefits aren't off the table. There are many other variables affecting solar performance—panel type, size, orientation, angle, and so on. Thus, before you go wild and crazy about investing in photovoltaic panels, visit a solar installer who will offer a yield-feasibility estimate with expected savings.

https://www.nrel.gov/gis/assets

https://solarmapper.anl.gov

https://www.solarreviews.com/blog