Peak sun hours in Colorado (2026)
Colorado averages 5.2 peak sun hours per day — 10% above the US average of 4.7. In practical terms, every 1 kW of solar there produces about 1,518 kWh of electricity a year.
Peak sun hours/day
5.2
Annual kWh per kW
1,518
vs US average
+10%
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 5.2 hours, a typical home in Colorado needs a system sized to its usage and local sun — see exact numbers on the Colorado solar cost page or work it out with our sizing guide.
Peak sun hours by city in Colorado
Sunlight varies within Colorado. Here are city-level figures from multi-year irradiance data.
| City | Peak sun hours/day | Annual kWh per kW |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | 4.96 | 1,448 |
| Colorado Springs | 5.08 | 1,483 |
| Aurora | 4.99 | 1,457 |
Peak sun hours in Colorado: FAQ
How many peak sun hours does Colorado get?
Colorado averages about 5.2 peak sun hours per day — 10% above the US average. That works out to roughly 1,518 kWh of electricity per year for every 1 kW of solar installed.
Is Colorado good for solar based on sunlight?
Sunlight is only part of the picture. Colorado's 5.2 peak sun hours help production, but your electricity rate and incentives matter just as much. See the full economics on our Colorado solar cost page.