Evaluating Your Site's Solar Resource for Solar Electricity
The solar resource across the U.S. is ample for solar electric systems—also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems—because they can use both direct and scattered sunlight. However, the amount of electricity generated at a particular site depends on how much of the sun's energy reaches it. Thus, PV systems function most efficiently in the southwestern United States, which receives the greatest amount of solar energy.
Before you buy a PV system, you'll want to be sure your site has enough solar energy to meet your electricity needs efficiently and economically. Your local system supplier can perform a solar site analysis for you or show you how to do so on your own.
When evaluating your site, you'll also need to consider both the geographic orientation and the tilt of your solar panels—PV modules—as both can affect your system's performance.
Learn More
Evaluation Tools
Homer
DOE Building Energy Tools Software Directory
Solar Maps
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
CLIMATE 1
DOE Building Energy Tools Software Directory
LESO-SHADE
DOE Building Energy Tools Software Directory
Sombrero 3.01
DOE Building Energy Tools Software Directory
SolPath
DOE Building Energy Tools Software Directory
Solar Radiation Data Manual for Flat-Plate and Concentrating Collectors
Renewable Resource Data Center
PV Watts
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
SunAngle
DOE Building Energy Software Tools Directory
In My Backyard Solar and Wind Estimator
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Financing & Incentives
Find Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
Energy Savers
Professional Services
Solar Energy Industries Association
