Peak sun hours in Alaska (2026)
Alaska averages 3 peak sun hours per day — 36% below the US average of 4.7. In practical terms, every 1 kW of solar there produces about 876 kWh of electricity a year.
Peak sun hours/day
3
Annual kWh per kW
876
vs US average
-36%
What this means for your system
To produce a given amount of electricity, you need fewer panels where there are more peak sun hours. At 3 hours, a typical home in Alaska needs a system sized to its usage and local sun — see exact numbers on the Alaska solar cost page or work it out with our sizing guide.
Peak sun hours by city in Alaska
Sunlight varies within Alaska. Here are city-level figures from multi-year irradiance data.
| City | Peak sun hours/day | Annual kWh per kW |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | 2.53 | 739 |
Peak sun hours in Alaska: FAQ
How many peak sun hours does Alaska get?
Alaska averages about 3 peak sun hours per day — 36% below the US average. That works out to roughly 876 kWh of electricity per year for every 1 kW of solar installed.
Is Alaska good for solar based on sunlight?
Sunlight is only part of the picture. Alaska's 3 peak sun hours are below average, so panels produce a little less, but your electricity rate and incentives matter just as much. See the full economics on our Alaska solar cost page.