Evaluating Your Site's Solar Resource for Solar Electricity

The solar resource across the U.S. is ample for solar electric systems also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems because they can use both direct and scattered sunlight. However, the amount of electricity generated at a particular site depends on how much of the sun's energy reaches it. Thus, PV systems function most efficiently in the southwestern United States, which receives the greatest amount of solar energy.

Before you buy a PV system, you'll want to be sure your site has enough solar energy to meet your electricity needs efficiently and economically. Your local system supplier can perform a solar site analysis for you or show you how to do so on your own.

When evaluating your site, you'll also need to consider both the geographic orientation and the tilt of your solar panels PV modules as both can affect your system's performance.