New Jersey Solar Production & Irradiance Data
4 peak sun hours/day · 7,104 kWh/year from a 6kW system · near national average
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New Jersey receives an average of 4 peak sun hours per day, which translates to a Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 4 kWh/m²/day. When solar panels are tilted at the optimal angle for New Jersey's latitude, irradiance increases to 4.68 kWh/m²/day — a 17% boost over flat-mounted panels.
This puts New Jersey near the national average of 4.29 peak sun hours per day. New Jersey's solar resource is comparable to the national average, making solar a solid investment — especially with current incentive programs. These figures are derived from NREL solar resource maps and PVWatts reference calculations.
Expected Annual Output by System Size
| System Size | Annual Output | Avg Monthly | Annual Savings | 25-Year Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW (12-16 panels) | 4,736 kWh | 395 kWh | $1,072/yr | $26,800 |
| 6 kW (18-24 panels) | 7,104 kWh | 592 kWh | $1,608/yr | $40,200 |
| 8 kW (24-32 panels) | 9,472 kWh | 789 kWh | $2,144/yr | $53,600 |
| 10 kW (30-40 panels) | 11,840 kWh | 987 kWh | $2,679/yr | $66,975 |
Based on 4.68 kWh/m²/day tilt irradiance, 14% system losses, and 22.63¢/kWh electricity rate. Actual output varies by installation specifics.
Month-by-Month Solar Production in New Jersey
Estimated monthly output for a 6kW system:
Solar production in New Jersey peaks in June when a 6kW system generates approximately 924 kWh — about 13% of annual production in a single month. The lowest production month is December at approximately 249 kWh (3.5% of annual output). This 3.7:1 seasonal ratio is significant — battery storage or time-of-use rate plans can help smooth out this variation.
How New Jersey Compares Nationally
Tips for Maximizing Solar Production in New Jersey
New Jersey's 4 peak sun hours per day provides solid solar production. Proper panel orientation is important — aim for south-facing at New Jersey's latitude tilt angle for optimal year-round performance.
Consider adding battery storage to your New Jersey solar system. A 10-13 kWh home battery lets you store excess daytime production for evening use, maximizing your self-consumption and reducing grid dependence. This is especially valuable for backup power during outages.
Solar Irradiance Technical Data
Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI): 4 kWh/m²/day. GHI measures the total solar radiation received on a horizontal surface, including direct sunlight and diffuse radiation from clouds and atmospheric scattering. This is the baseline measurement for solar resource assessment.
Tilt Irradiance: 4.68 kWh/m²/day. When panels are tilted at the optimal angle for New Jersey's latitude, they receive 17% more solar radiation than flat-mounted panels. This tilt optimization is one of the easiest ways to boost your system's output.
System Output Estimation: The annual production figures use the NREL PVWatts methodology: Tilt Irradiance × 365 days × System Size × (1 − System Losses) × Inverter Efficiency. We use 14% system losses (wiring, soiling, degradation, mismatch) and 96% inverter efficiency, matching PVWatts defaults.
New Jersey Solar Production FAQ
How many peak sun hours does New Jersey get?▼
New Jersey averages 4 peak sun hours per day, which is near the national average of 4.29 hours. Peak sun hours represent hours of full-intensity sunlight equivalent — a key factor in estimating solar panel output. This data is derived from NREL solar resource maps and PVWatts reference calculations.
How much electricity will a 6kW solar system produce in New Jersey?▼
A 6kW solar system in New Jersey produces approximately 7,104 kWh per year, or about 592 kWh per month on average. Production peaks in June (approximately 924 kWh) and is lowest in December (approximately 249 kWh). At New Jersey's average rate of 22.63¢/kWh, this saves you about $1,608/year.
What is the best month for solar production in New Jersey?▼
June is typically the best month for solar production in New Jersey, with a 6kW system producing approximately 924 kWh. The long daylight hours and high sun angle combine for maximum energy generation. The worst month is December, producing about 249 kWh — roughly 27% of the best month's output.
How does New Jersey's solar potential compare to other states?▼
New Jersey's average of 4 peak sun hours per day puts it near the national average of 4.29 hours. A 6kW system in New Jersey produces 7,104 kWh/year, compared to the national average of 7,562 kWh/year — that's -458 kWh/year (-6%). Combined with New Jersey's above-average electricity rate of 22.63¢/kWh, solar is especially financially attractive here.
What affects solar panel output in New Jersey?▼
Key factors affecting solar output in New Jersey include: roof orientation (south-facing is ideal), tilt angle (latitude tilt of 37° is optimal), shading from trees or buildings, panel efficiency rating, and local weather patterns. New Jersey's GHI (Global Horizontal Irradiance) is 4 kWh/m²/day, but panels tilted at the optimal angle receive 4.68 kWh/m²/day — a 17% improvement over flat-mounted panels.
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New Jersey Solar Data
- ☀️ Peak Sun Hours: 4 hrs/day
- 📊 GHI: 4 kWh/m²/day
- 📐 Tilt Irradiance: 4.68 kWh/m²/day
- ⚡ 6kW Output: 7,104 kWh/yr
- 📈 Best Month: June
- 📉 Worst Month: December
- 💡 Electricity Rate: 22.63¢/kWh
- 💰 Annual Savings (6kW): $1,608
- 📋 Data: NREL Reference Data