Solar Production Calculator
Estimate your solar panel energy production based on location, system size, and panel orientation.
Typical residential: 4,000–10,000 W
Optimal: 32.7° for this latitude
Optimal: 180° (South)
Near: Los Angeles, United States
Annual Production
8,466 kWh
per year
Daily
23 kWh
CO₂ Offset
5.9 tons/yr
Equivalent Trees
243/yr
Homes Equivalent
0.78/yr
Peak Sun Hours
4.5 hrs/day
Tilt Efficiency
100%
Optimal Tilt
32.7°
Optimal Azimuth
180°
Monthly Production Breakdown
Jan
656
kWh
Feb
626
kWh
Mar
718
kWh
Apr
690
kWh
May
691
kWh
Jun
657
kWh
Jul
691
kWh
Aug
713
kWh
Sep
695
kWh
Oct
693
kWh
Nov
635
kWh
Dec
638
kWh
How Production Is Calculated
This calculator estimates your solar panel energy production using your location's peak sun hours (PSH), system size, panel tilt, and orientation. The efficiency factor compares your panel setup against the optimal tilt and azimuth for your latitude. A properly tilted panel at the correct azimuth can produce 10–40% more energy than a flat-mounted panel.
System losses account for inverter efficiency (~96%), wiring losses (~2%), temperature-related efficiency loss, shading, and soiling. A typical residential system operates at about 86% of its rated capacity after all losses are factored in. Use the Tilt Calculator to find your optimal panel angle, and the Azimuth Calculatorfor the best compass direction.
Once you know your annual production, use the ROI Calculatorto estimate your financial returns or the Payback Calculatorto see how quickly your investment pays off.
Related Calculators
Solar Tilt Calculator
Find the optimal tilt angle for your panels
Solar Azimuth Calculator
Find the optimal compass direction for your panels
Solar ROI Calculator
Estimate your 25-year return on investment
Solar Payback Calculator
See how fast your solar panels pay for themselves
Measure your exact production with SolarAlign
Use the SolarAlign app to measure your roof's true tilt and orientation for a production estimate tailored to your home.Learn more →