Peak sun hours in New Mexico (2026)
New Mexico averages 6.5 peak sun hours per day — 38% above the US average of 4.7. In practical terms, every 1 kW of solar there produces about 1,898 kWh of electricity a year.
Peak sun hours/day
6.5
Annual kWh per kW
1,898
vs US average
+38%
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 6.5 hours, a typical home in New Mexico needs a system sized to its usage and local sun — see exact numbers on the New Mexico solar cost page or work it out with our sizing guide.
Peak sun hours by city in New Mexico
Sunlight varies within New Mexico. Here are city-level figures from multi-year irradiance data.
| City | Peak sun hours/day | Annual kWh per kW |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 5.6 | 1,635 |
Peak sun hours in New Mexico: FAQ
How many peak sun hours does New Mexico get?
New Mexico averages about 6.5 peak sun hours per day — 38% above the US average. That works out to roughly 1,898 kWh of electricity per year for every 1 kW of solar installed.
Is New Mexico good for solar based on sunlight?
Sunlight is only part of the picture. New Mexico's 6.5 peak sun hours help production, but your electricity rate and incentives matter just as much. See the full economics on our New Mexico solar cost page.