Solar energy in El Paso, United States
Average irradiation 5.9 kWh/m²/day · ~1723 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in El Paso (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3.73 | 5.8 | 91 |
| Feb | 4.74 | 8.3 | 115 |
| Mar | 6.10 | 12.8 | 148 |
| Apr | 7.39 | 17.3 | 180 |
| May | 8.10 | 22.2 | 197 |
| Jun | 8.13 | 28.0 | 198 |
| Jul | 7.28 | 28.3 | 177 |
| Aug | 6.79 | 27.3 | 165 |
| Sep | 5.99 | 23.6 | 146 |
| Oct | 5.10 | 17.9 | 124 |
| Nov | 3.99 | 11.0 | 97 |
| Dec | 3.40 | 5.8 | 83 |
Solar potential of El Paso explained
El Paso receives an average of 5.9 kilowatt-hours of solar energy per square metre per day, measured over four decades of satellite observation. In practical terms, every kilowatt-peak of installed PV capacity yields about 1723 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places El Paso among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in El Paso?
With 5.9 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in El Paso produces roughly 1723 kWh per year. That is an excellent solar resource — payback periods are typically among the shortest worldwide.
How much electricity would a 5 kW system produce in El Paso?
Approximately 9,000 kWh per year — enough to cover a large share of a typical household's consumption.
What data is this based on?
Long-term satellite observations from NASA POWER (1981–present) and the PVGIS SARAH3 database, assuming a performance ratio of 80%.
Compare with nearby cities
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