How much will solar panels produce in Palmerston North?

A 5 kWp system facing north at 35° tilt in Palmerston North produces about 6,922 kWh a year. In a weak year that is 5,768 kWh, in a good one 8,076 kWh — 1,384 kWh per kWp.

That’s about 99% 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 776 kWh, range 627–926FebFebruary: 5 kWp 680 kWh, range 528–833MarMarch: 5 kWp 625 kWh, range 500–749AprApril: 5 kWp 525 kWh, range 405–644MayMay: 5 kWp 432 kWh, range 353–512JunJune: 5 kWp 354 kWh, range 288–419JulJuly: 5 kWp 409 kWh, range 320–498AugAugust: 5 kWp 473 kWh, range 380–567SepSeptember: 5 kWp 571 kWh, range 466–676OctOctober: 5 kWp 674 kWh, range 558–791NovNovember: 5 kWp 687 kWh, range 542–831DecDecember: 5 kWp 699 kWh, range 564–834

kWh per month

A typical day in January

The sunniest month in Palmerston North. Output peaks around 12:00 solar time, at about 2.9 kWh in the best hour.

0:006:0012:0018:0023:00 2.9 0

Month by month

Month Weak year, kWh Typical year, kWh Good year, kWh
January 627 776 926
February 528 680 833
March 500 625 749
April 405 525 644
May 353 432 512
June 288 354 419
July 320 409 498
August 380 473 567
September 466 571 676
October 558 674 791
November 542 687 831
December 564 699 834
Year 5,768 6,922 8,076

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 Palmerston North?

From May to August the system produces about 1,669 kWh, which is 24% of the year. The weakest month (June) gives roughly 354 kWh.

Is an east-west roof worth it in Palmerston North?

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 Palmerston North

Ground mount or roof in Palmerston North?

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 Palmerston North

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