PV Generation Potential for September 2012

PV POWER MAP

The PV Power Map is a report of national solar resource availability as illustrated by the monthly energy output of a nominal 1-kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic (PV) system by location. As illustrated by the map, much of the Western United States experienced warm and dry weather conditions, which facilitated average-to-above average solar energy production. The Eastern United States experienced wetter and cloudier conditions for the month, which led to average-to-below solar energy production profiles prevailing throughout much of the region. The Ohio River Valley in particular recorded below average energy production due to an active storm pattern.

To use the PV Power Map to calculate the generation potential of a PV system in a given location, multiply the power output indicated on the map by a project’s capacity, in kilowatts. The result is the total estimated power output for the month. See an archive of monthly PV Power Maps at solartoday.org/pvpowermap.

The PV Power Map is created with power output estimates generated by SolarAnywhere services from Clean Power Research; these include simulation capabilities and hourly satellite-derived irradiance data with spatial resolutions from 1 to 10 kilometers. The calculations are based on a PV system with a total 1-kW nameplate rating that is configured as five 200-watt PV panels with a 1.5-kW inverter; fixed, south-facing panels with 30 degree tilt; no shading; panel PVUSA Test Conditions rating of 178 watts; and inverter efficiency of 95.5 percent. Visualization and mapping provided by GeoModel Solar. Access free historical irradiance data at solaranywhere.com.