Peak sun hours in Minnesota (2026)
Minnesota 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 Minnesota needs a system sized to its usage and local sun — see exact numbers on the Minnesota solar cost page or work it out with our sizing guide.
Peak sun hours by city in Minnesota
Sunlight varies within Minnesota. Here are city-level figures from multi-year irradiance data.
| City | Peak sun hours/day | Annual kWh per kW |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | 4.06 | 1,186 |
| Saint Paul | 4.02 | 1,174 |
Peak sun hours in Minnesota: FAQ
How many peak sun hours does Minnesota get?
Minnesota 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 Minnesota good for solar based on sunlight?
Sunlight is only part of the picture. Minnesota'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 Minnesota solar cost page.