Independent, physics-based solar performance data for US homeowners.
Physics-based Colorado solar benchmarks: 1,680 kWh/kW/year in Denver. Monthly production data and performance ratio targets for CO homeowners.
2026-04-08
Physics-based Georgia solar benchmarks: 1,450 kWh/kW/year in Atlanta. Monthly production data and performance ratio targets for GA homeowners.
2026-04-08
Physics-based Illinois solar benchmarks: 6kW systems average 7,200–8,040 kWh/year by region. Monthly production data and Chicago vs. Southern Illinois comparison.
2026-04-08
Physics-based Maryland solar benchmarks: 6kW systems average 7,740–8,400 kWh/year by region. Monthly production data and Baltimore vs. Eastern Shore vs. Western MD comparison.
2026-04-08
Physics-based Minnesota solar benchmarks: 6kW systems average 6,840–7,680 kWh/year by region. Monthly production data and Minneapolis vs. Duluth vs. southern Minnesota comparison.
2026-04-08
Physics-based Nevada solar benchmarks: 1,900 kWh/kW/year in Las Vegas. Monthly production data and performance ratio targets for NV homeowners.
2026-04-08
Physics-based Ohio solar benchmarks: 1,250 kWh/kW/year in Columbus. Monthly production data and performance ratio targets for OH homeowners.
2026-04-08
Physics-based Pennsylvania solar benchmarks: 1,330 kWh/kW/year in Philadelphia. Monthly production data and performance ratio targets for PA homeowners.
2026-04-08
Physics-based Virginia solar benchmarks: 6kW systems average 8,220–8,580 kWh/year by region. Monthly production data and Richmond vs. Northern VA vs. coast comparison.
2026-04-08
Physics-based Washington State solar benchmarks: 6kW systems range from 5,880 kWh/year in Seattle to 9,240 kWh/year in Tri-Cities. Monthly data and west vs. east Cascades comparison.
2026-04-08
Physics-based Arizona solar benchmarks: 6kW systems average 10,600-11,400 kWh/year. Monthly data, monsoon season impact, heat loss factors, and performance ratio targets.
2026-04-06
Physics-based California solar benchmarks: 6kW systems average 9,200-10,800 kWh/year depending on region. Monthly production data and performance ratio targets by climate zone.
2026-04-06
Physics-based Florida solar benchmarks: 6kW systems average 9,000-9,900 kWh/year. Monthly production by region, summer rainy season impact, and performance ratio targets.
2026-04-06
Physics-based Massachusetts solar benchmarks: 6kW systems average 7,100-7,800 kWh/year. Monthly production data, climate zone benchmarks, and winter performance expectations.
2026-04-06
Physics-based New Jersey solar benchmarks: 6kW systems average 7,700-8,200 kWh/year. Monthly production, climate zone targets, and what good performance looks like in NJ.
2026-04-06
Physics-based New York solar benchmarks: 6kW systems average 6,900-8,200 kWh/year depending on region. NYC vs. upstate production, monthly benchmarks, and performance targets.
2026-04-06
Physics-based North Carolina solar benchmarks: 6kW systems average 8,300-9,100 kWh/year by region. Monthly production data, Piedmont vs. coast vs. mountains comparison.
2026-04-06
Physics-based Texas solar benchmarks: 6kW systems average 8,700-10,600 kWh/year by region. Monthly production data, climate zone targets, and heat loss factors.
2026-04-06
A 10kW solar system should produce 875–1,500 kWh/month depending on location. Physics-based monthly benchmarks, regional data, and what causes underperformance.
2026-04-06
A 12kW solar system should produce 1,050-2,150 kWh/month depending on location. Physics-based monthly benchmarks by region plus what affects output.
2026-04-06
A 5kW solar system should produce 440–750 kWh/month depending on location. See physics-based monthly production benchmarks by US region and key output factors.
2026-04-06
A 6kW solar system should produce 500–900 kWh/month depending on location. See physics-based monthly benchmarks by region and what affects your output.
2026-04-06
A 7kW solar system should produce 610–1,050 kWh/month depending on location. Physics-based monthly benchmarks, regional variation table, and performance factors.
2026-04-06
An 8kW solar system should produce 700–1,200 kWh/month depending on location. Physics-based monthly benchmarks by region plus factors that affect output.
2026-04-06
Physics-based annual and monthly solar production benchmarks for 4kW-12kW systems across all US regions. Uses pvlib and ERA5 weather data.
2026-04-06
Enphase Enlighten tracks what your system produced. An independent benchmark calculates what it should have produced. Here's why both matter.
2026-04-08
Enphase vs SolarEdge: real efficiency numbers, failure modes, monitoring gaps, and which inverter fits your roof type.
2026-04-08
Installer solar estimates average 10-15% above first-year production. Here's why the gap exists and what benchmark to use instead.
2026-04-08
PVWatts deviates ~38% from measured solar output. Here's why, and what physics-based models using real weather data do instead.
2026-04-08
Solar monitoring records what your system does. A health report checks if that output is correct. Here's the difference and why both matter.
2026-04-08
ERA5 provides hourly solar irradiance at 9km resolution from 1940-present. Learn why it outperforms TMY data for real-world solar performance benchmarking.
2026-04-08
PERC panels degrade ~0.5%/yr, TOPCon panels <0.3%/yr. See exactly how much output to expect at year 5, 10, and 25 for each panel technology.
2026-04-08
pvlib is an open-source Python library for solar performance simulation. Learn how it works, why it outperforms PVWatts, and what it means for homeowners.
2026-04-08
Solar irradiance is the power of sunlight per square meter (W/m²). Learn how GHI, DNI, and DHI affect your solar panel output and how US cities compare.
2026-04-08
Specific yield measures kWh produced per kW of system size. Learn the US benchmarks by region and why it's the best way to compare solar systems.
2026-04-08
Solar capacity factor measures how much a system produces vs. its theoretical maximum. US residential systems average 14-18%. Here's what that means for homeowners.
2026-04-06
Performance ratio (PR) measures how much energy your solar system produces vs. what physics says it should. A PR above 0.85 is normal. Below 0.75 warrants action.
2026-04-06
Winter solar production drops 50-75% in most US states due to shorter days and lower sun angles. Here's what's normal by region and what signals a real problem.
2026-04-06
Seven signs your solar system is underperforming: unexplained production drops, high electric bills despite solar, fault codes, sudden production changes, and more.
2026-04-06
Six causes of low solar production ranked by frequency: soiling, shading, inverter issues, degradation, wiring problems, and panel damage. How to diagnose each.
2026-04-06