How much will solar panels produce in Sacramento?

A 8 kWp system facing south at 35° tilt in Sacramento produces about 13,977 kWh a year. In a weak year that is 11,663 kWh, in a good one 16,292 kWh — 1,747 kWh per kWp.

That’s about 133% of a typical home’s yearly use (10,500 kWh).

Calculate for my roof

Based on 2014–2023 satellite weather data

Production by month

05001,0001,5002,000JanJanuary: 8 kWp 733 kWh, range 522–943FebFebruary: 8 kWp 941 kWh, range 629–1,252MarMarch: 8 kWp 1,131 kWh, range 877–1,385AprApril: 8 kWp 1,282 kWh, range 1,044–1,520MayMay: 8 kWp 1,394 kWh, range 1,141–1,648JunJune: 8 kWp 1,389 kWh, range 1,162–1,616JulJuly: 8 kWp 1,459 kWh, range 1,220–1,697AugAugust: 8 kWp 1,451 kWh, range 1,215–1,686SepSeptember: 8 kWp 1,317 kWh, range 1,097–1,537OctOctober: 8 kWp 1,242 kWh, range 981–1,503NovNovember: 8 kWp 915 kWh, range 730–1,101DecDecember: 8 kWp 689 kWh, range 492–886

kWh per month

A typical day in July

The sunniest month in Sacramento. Output peaks around 12:00 solar time, at about 5.9 kWh in the best hour.

0:006:0012:0018:0023:00 5.9 0

Month by month

Month Weak year, kWh Typical year, kWh Good year, kWh
January 522 733 943
February 629 941 1,252
March 877 1,131 1,385
April 1,044 1,282 1,520
May 1,141 1,394 1,648
June 1,162 1,389 1,616
July 1,220 1,459 1,697
August 1,215 1,451 1,686
September 1,097 1,317 1,537
October 981 1,242 1,503
November 730 915 1,101
December 492 689 886
Year 11,663 13,977 16,292

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 Sacramento?

From November to February the system produces about 3,278 kWh, which is 24% of the year. The weakest month (December) gives roughly 689 kWh.

Is an east-west roof worth it in Sacramento?

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 Sacramento

Ground mount or roof in Sacramento?

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 Sacramento

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