How much will solar panels produce in Nelson?

A 5 kWp system facing north at 35° tilt in Nelson produces about 7,468 kWh a year. In a weak year that is 6,233 kWh, in a good one 8,703 kWh — 1,494 kWh per kWp.

That’s about 107% 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 825 kWh, range 660–989FebFebruary: 5 kWp 753 kWh, range 597–909MarMarch: 5 kWp 696 kWh, range 566–826AprApril: 5 kWp 575 kWh, range 437–712MayMay: 5 kWp 485 kWh, range 398–572JunJune: 5 kWp 383 kWh, range 310–456JulJuly: 5 kWp 431 kWh, range 331–531AugAugust: 5 kWp 516 kWh, range 415–618SepSeptember: 5 kWp 623 kWh, range 505–740OctOctober: 5 kWp 738 kWh, range 602–874NovNovember: 5 kWp 750 kWh, range 613–886DecDecember: 5 kWp 746 kWh, range 612–880

kWh per month

A typical day in January

The sunniest month in Nelson. Output peaks around 12:00 solar time, at about 3.1 kWh in the best hour.

0:006:0012:0018:0023:00 3.1 0

Month by month

Month Weak year, kWh Typical year, kWh Good year, kWh
January 660 825 989
February 597 753 909
March 566 696 826
April 437 575 712
May 398 485 572
June 310 383 456
July 331 431 531
August 415 516 618
September 505 623 740
October 602 738 874
November 613 750 886
December 612 746 880
Year 6,233 7,468 8,703

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 Nelson?

From May to August the system produces about 1,816 kWh, which is 24% of the year. The weakest month (June) gives roughly 383 kWh.

Is an east-west roof worth it in Nelson?

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 Nelson

Ground mount or roof in Nelson?

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 Nelson

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