Nicknamed the Sunshine State for a reason, the state of Florida is consistently ranked in the top five for states with the most amount of sunshine. This is great news for Florida homeowners considering an investment in solar energy. Depending on the number of solar panels installed on your Florida property, you could be looking at huge savings on your monthly utility bill. However, to get the most out of your solar panel system, you will need to know how to calculate your home’s peak sunlight hours.
What are Peak Sunlight Hours?
The optimal time of day for solar insolation is when the sun is highest in the sky. Such time is referred to as peak sunlight hours. It does not; however, refer to how many hours of daylight your home is exposed to, but rather the number of hours your solar panels receive direct, intense sunlight each day that generates 1,000 watts of photovoltaic power per square meter.
Every Home’s Peak Sunlight is Different
Peak sunlight hours vary for each individual home as there are a number of factors that go into its calculation. Determining your home’s peak sunlight hours depends on the direction, slope, and surface space of your roof as well as any neighboring trees or structures that could impede direct sunlight from reaching your solar panels.
Location is a Huge Factor in Peak Sunlight
The number of daily peak sunlight hours increases during warmer seasons and in areas closer to the equator. For example, the fixed solar panels on a home in Florida receive an average of 5.26 peak sunlight hours a day during the winter months and 6.16 peak sunlight hours a day during summer. That’s an average of 5.67 peak sunlight hours each day — more than enough to generate money- and energy-saving photovoltaic power as typical solar panel systems require only a minimum of four hours of sunlight per day to operate at full efficiency.
Enjoy Peak Savings with Solar Power
To determine the amount of energy a solar panel system could be generating you annually, contact the solar installation experts at Professional Electrical Services. At PES, we will factor your home’s peak sunlight hours and recommend the best solar panel system to fit your home and budget. For a free estimate, call us today.
