Elko Solar Power Information & Peak Sun Hours
Green Energy Summary for Elko, Nevada
Lattitude: 40.83
Sunlight
Fixed Tilt Sunlight Hours: 5.4 hours per day
1-Axis Tilt Sunlight Hours: 7.3 hours per day
2-Axis Tilt Sunlight Hours: 7.5 hours per day
Wind
Average Annual Wind Speed: 6.04 miles per hour
It is important to remember that the peak sun hours in Elko are not consistent every day. There are multiple factors that influence the solar insolation of any given day. Many of these factors are out of our control, like weather and cloud coverage. But other factors like technology, quality of solar panels and mounts can be altered and scaled to your benefit.
For example, the latitude of Elko is an important factor for solar power efficiency and peak sun hours. The latitude directly relates to the angle of the sun in the sky and sunlight hours per day. The greater the latitude usually means the greater the changes in solar insolation per season. Also important, the angle of a fixed tilt solar panel will usually be most efficient if constructed at the same angle as the latitude of Elko. This will align the panel to better positions during peak sun hours, but a multiple axis system that follows the sun in the sky is still a more efficient option.
The average amount of peak sun hours in Elko is also correlated to factors other than latitude. Weather patterns, the time of year, technology, and the type of solar panel mount all directly affect peak sun hours.
In Elko, the average peak sun hours for a fixed tilt panel mounted at the angle equal to the latitude of the city is hours. The more efficient 2-axis system that tracks the sun in the sky during each season will boost the average peak sun hours to hours per day in Elko.