Peak sun hours in Kentucky (2026)
Kentucky averages 4.5 peak sun hours per day — 5% below the US average of 4.7. In practical terms, every 1 kW of solar there produces about 1,314 kWh of electricity a year.
Peak sun hours/day
4.5
Annual kWh per kW
1,314
vs US average
-5%
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 4.5 hours, a typical home in Kentucky needs a system sized to its usage and local sun — see exact numbers on the Kentucky solar cost page or work it out with our sizing guide.
Peak sun hours by city in Kentucky
Sunlight varies within Kentucky. Here are city-level figures from multi-year irradiance data.
| City | Peak sun hours/day | Annual kWh per kW |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville | 4.32 | 1,261 |
| Lexington | 4.3 | 1,256 |
| Lexington-Fayette | 4.3 | 1,256 |
| Meads | 4.23 | 1,235 |
Peak sun hours in Kentucky: FAQ
How many peak sun hours does Kentucky get?
Kentucky averages about 4.5 peak sun hours per day — 5% below the US average. That works out to roughly 1,314 kWh of electricity per year for every 1 kW of solar installed.
Is Kentucky good for solar based on sunlight?
Sunlight is only part of the picture. Kentucky's 4.5 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 Kentucky solar cost page.