To state the obvious, November, December, January and February are the worst-performing solar months. For example, a typical solar system in Yolo County (at 38 degrees latitude) generates ~3X more electricity during summer months versus winter months. Simply: More hours of daylight, fewer cloudy/overcast days, and a higher azimuth of the sun fuel increased electricity generation.
Solar panels throughout Yolo County shined over the first three months of 2020, basking in an extraordinary (and, for our aquifer, unfortunate) amount of sun. We had zero (!) days of rain in February; by comparison, it rained 25 days in February 2019. Hence, spanning more than 350 Repower solar systems, our average homeowner generated 49% more electricity in February 2020, relative to what we forecast when we commissioned their solar system.
Over the first three months of 2020, Repower systems generated 17% more electricity than predicted (for an average year, normalizing weather data over the past 30 years). We attribute this to (primarily) the irregular weather and (secondarily) to the engineering efficacy of our designers, electricians and installers. Regardless, 17% is 17%, resulting in an average surplus/credit/bonus of $91 for Repower homeowners in the first quarter.
Solar is predictable and dependable. It works, as it should. Let it shine.
