How much will solar panels produce in Los Angeles?

A 8 kWp system facing south at 35° tilt in Los Angeles produces about 14,743 kWh a year. In a weak year that is 12,322 kWh, in a good one 17,165 kWh — 1,843 kWh per kWp.

That’s about 140% of a typical home’s yearly use (10,500 kWh).

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Based on 2014–2023 satellite weather data

Production by month

05001,0001,5002,000JanJanuary: 8 kWp 1,043 kWh, range 813–1,273FebFebruary: 8 kWp 1,153 kWh, range 859–1,447MarMarch: 8 kWp 1,332 kWh, range 1,050–1,614AprApril: 8 kWp 1,349 kWh, range 1,116–1,582MayMay: 8 kWp 1,270 kWh, range 1,028–1,512JunJune: 8 kWp 1,315 kWh, range 1,094–1,537JulJuly: 8 kWp 1,362 kWh, range 1,136–1,588AugAugust: 8 kWp 1,413 kWh, range 1,180–1,646SepSeptember: 8 kWp 1,315 kWh, range 1,087–1,544OctOctober: 8 kWp 1,288 kWh, range 1,061–1,515NovNovember: 8 kWp 1,095 kWh, range 905–1,286DecDecember: 8 kWp 897 kWh, range 694–1,100

kWh per month

A typical day in August

The sunniest month in Los Angeles. Output peaks around 12:00 solar time, at about 5.7 kWh in the best hour.

0:006:0012:0018:0023:00 5.7 0

Month by month

Month Weak year, kWh Typical year, kWh Good year, kWh
January 813 1,043 1,273
February 859 1,153 1,447
March 1,050 1,332 1,614
April 1,116 1,349 1,582
May 1,028 1,270 1,512
June 1,094 1,315 1,537
July 1,136 1,362 1,588
August 1,180 1,413 1,646
September 1,087 1,315 1,544
October 1,061 1,288 1,515
November 905 1,095 1,286
December 694 897 1,100
Year 12,322 14,743 17,165

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 Los Angeles?

From November to February the system produces about 4,188 kWh, which is 28% of the year. The weakest month (December) gives roughly 897 kWh.

Is an east-west roof worth it in Los Angeles?

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

Compare an east-west roof for Los Angeles

Ground mount or roof in Los Angeles?

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 Los Angeles

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