Solar Energy Data for California
Detailed solar irradiance and production data for 39 cities in California. The state averages 5.25 kWh/m²/day GHI — Above Average solar resources.
California above the national average for solar energy production. Strong irradiance levels make solar cost-effective for residential and commercial installations statewide.
California Overview
- Cities with data
- 39
- Avg. GHI
- 5.25 kWh/m²/day
- Solar Rating
- Above Average
- Best City
- Los Angeles (5.3 kWh/m²/d)
Cities in California — Ranked by Solar Potential
39 cities| Rank | City | GHI (kWh/m²/d) | Peak Sun Hours | 5kW Production | Est. Annual Savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Los Angeles (pop. 3,979,576) | 5.3 | 6.1 | 8,848 kWh | $2,274 | 4.6 yrs |
| #2 | San Diego (pop. 1,386,932) | 5.26 | 6.0 | 8,804 kWh | $2,263 | 4.6 yrs |
| #3 | San Jose (pop. 1,013,240) | 5.12 | 5.9 | 8,556 kWh | $2,199 | 4.8 yrs |
| #4 | San Francisco (pop. 873,965) | 5.0 | 5.8 | 8,468 kWh | $2,176 | 4.8 yrs |
| #5 | Bakersfield (pop. 384,145) | 5.39 | 6.0 | 8,818 kWh | $2,266 | 4.6 yrs |
| #6 | Anaheim (pop. 350,365) | 5.25 | 6.0 | 8,731 kWh | $2,244 | 4.7 yrs |
| #7 | Santa Ana (pop. 310,227) | 5.24 | 6.0 | 8,716 kWh | $2,240 | 4.7 yrs |
| #8 | Riverside (pop. 331,360) | 5.48 | 6.3 | 9,154 kWh | $2,353 | 4.5 yrs |
| #9 | Stockton (pop. 320,804) | 5.12 | 5.8 | 8,483 kWh | $2,180 | 4.8 yrs |
| #10 | Chula Vista (pop. 275,487) | 5.38 | 6.2 | 8,994 kWh | $2,311 | 4.5 yrs |
| #11 | Oxnard (pop. 202,063) | 5.04 | 5.8 | 8,453 kWh | $2,172 | 4.8 yrs |
| #12 | Irvine (pop. 307,670) | 5.25 | 6.0 | 8,760 kWh | $2,251 | 4.7 yrs |
| #13 | Fremont (pop. 230,504) | 5.06 | 5.8 | 8,483 kWh | $2,180 | 4.8 yrs |
| #14 | San Bernardino (pop. 222,101) | 5.47 | 6.3 | 9,154 kWh | $2,353 | 4.5 yrs |
| #15 | Modesto (pop. 218,464) | 5.15 | 5.8 | 8,526 kWh | $2,191 | 4.8 yrs |
| #16 | Fontana (pop. 214,547) | 5.42 | 6.2 | 9,037 kWh | $2,323 | 4.5 yrs |
| #17 | Moreno Valley (pop. 213,021) | 5.5 | 6.3 | 9,183 kWh | $2,360 | 4.4 yrs |
| #18 | Glendale (pop. 196,543) | 5.31 | 6.1 | 8,862 kWh | $2,278 | 4.6 yrs |
| #19 | Huntington Beach (pop. 198,711) | 5.02 | 5.7 | 8,293 kWh | $2,131 | 4.9 yrs |
| #20 | Santa Clarita (pop. 228,673) | 5.5 | 6.3 | 9,198 kWh | $2,364 | 4.4 yrs |
| #21 | Garden Grove (pop. 171,949) | 5.26 | 6.0 | 8,760 kWh | $2,251 | 4.7 yrs |
| #22 | Oceanside (pop. 174,068) | 5.0 | 5.7 | 8,351 kWh | $2,146 | 4.9 yrs |
| #23 | Rancho Cucamonga (pop. 177,751) | 5.39 | 6.2 | 8,979 kWh | $2,308 | 4.5 yrs |
| #24 | Santa Rosa (pop. 175,155) | 4.88 | 5.6 | 8,161 kWh | $2,097 | 5.0 yrs |
| #25 | Elk Grove (pop. 176,124) | 5.07 | 5.8 | 8,395 kWh | $2,158 | 4.9 yrs |
| #26 | Corona (pop. 157,136) | 5.34 | 6.1 | 8,862 kWh | $2,278 | 4.6 yrs |
| #27 | Hayward (pop. 162,954) | 4.98 | 5.7 | 8,337 kWh | $2,143 | 4.9 yrs |
| #28 | Lancaster (pop. 173,516) | 5.84 | 6.8 | 9,899 kWh | $2,544 | 4.1 yrs |
| #29 | Salinas (pop. 163,542) | 4.96 | 5.8 | 8,395 kWh | $2,158 | 4.9 yrs |
| #30 | Palmdale (pop. 169,450) | 5.74 | 6.6 | 9,694 kWh | $2,491 | 4.2 yrs |
| #31 | Sunnyvale (pop. 155,805) | 5.11 | 5.8 | 8,526 kWh | $2,191 | 4.8 yrs |
| #32 | Pomona (pop. 151,348) | 5.31 | 6.1 | 8,862 kWh | $2,278 | 4.6 yrs |
| #33 | Escondido (pop. 151,038) | 5.39 | 6.2 | 8,979 kWh | $2,308 | 4.5 yrs |
| #34 | Torrance (pop. 144,552) | 5.18 | 5.9 | 8,629 kWh | $2,218 | 4.7 yrs |
| #35 | Roseville (pop. 141,500) | 5.04 | 5.7 | 8,366 kWh | $2,150 | 4.9 yrs |
| #36 | Ontario (pop. 175,265) | 5.35 | 6.1 | 8,921 kWh | $2,293 | 4.6 yrs |
| #37 | Fresno (pop. 542,107) | 5.26 | 5.9 | 8,629 kWh | $2,218 | 4.7 yrs |
| #38 | Sacramento (pop. 513,624) | 5.07 | 5.8 | 8,395 kWh | $2,158 | 4.9 yrs |
| #39 | Long Beach (pop. 462,257) | 5.16 | 5.9 | 8,556 kWh | $2,199 | 4.8 yrs |
Analyze any California location
These figures are city-level averages. For your exact address in California, use SolarScope's Site Studio to account for roof orientation, shading, and your utility rate.