How much will solar panels produce in Christchurch?

A 5 kWp system facing north at 35° tilt in Christchurch produces about 7,575 kWh a year. In a weak year that is 6,317 kWh, in a good one 8,834 kWh — 1,515 kWh per kWp.

That’s about 108% of a typical home’s yearly use (7,000 kWh).

Calculate for my roof

Based on 2014–2023 satellite weather data

Production by month

02505007501,000JanJanuary: 5 kWp 839 kWh, range 688–991FebFebruary: 5 kWp 724 kWh, range 579–870MarMarch: 5 kWp 687 kWh, range 564–811AprApril: 5 kWp 555 kWh, range 412–698MayMay: 5 kWp 464 kWh, range 374–555JunJune: 5 kWp 348 kWh, range 267–428JulJuly: 5 kWp 408 kWh, range 322–494AugAugust: 5 kWp 526 kWh, range 422–630SepSeptember: 5 kWp 634 kWh, range 506–762OctOctober: 5 kWp 780 kWh, range 642–918NovNovember: 5 kWp 799 kWh, range 651–946DecDecember: 5 kWp 822 kWh, range 665–979

kWh per month

A typical day in January

The sunniest month in Christchurch. Output peaks around 12:00 solar time, at about 3.3 kWh in the best hour.

0:006:0012:0018:0023:00 3.3 0

Month by month

Month Weak year, kWh Typical year, kWh Good year, kWh
January 688 839 991
February 579 724 870
March 564 687 811
April 412 555 698
May 374 464 555
June 267 348 428
July 322 408 494
August 422 526 630
September 506 634 762
October 642 780 918
November 651 799 946
December 665 822 979
Year 6,317 7,575 8,834

The months don’t add up exactly to the yearly figure, because each one is the typical value across many years.

Common questions

How much do solar panels produce in winter in Christchurch?

From May to August the system produces about 1,746 kWh, which is 23% of the year. The weakest month (June) gives roughly 348 kWh.

Is an east-west roof worth it in Christchurch?

An east-west system typically produces 10–25% less per kWp than one facing north, but spreads production more evenly through the day. The exact difference depends on tilt and shading.

Compare an east-west roof for Christchurch

Ground mount or roof in Christchurch?

A ground mount can be tilted and aimed freely, which can add some yield, but it costs more and needs space. Compare both for your own plot.

Check a ground-mounted system in Christchurch

Your roof is not an average roof

Set your own tilt, direction, shading and inverter limit and get a range for your address.

Calculate for my roof

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Climate data: Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) — European Commission, Joint Research Centre