Peak sun hours in New York (2026)
New York averages 4.2 peak sun hours per day — 11% below the US average of 4.7. In practical terms, every 1 kW of solar there produces about 1,226 kWh of electricity a year.
Peak sun hours/day
4.2
Annual kWh per kW
1,226
vs US average
-11%
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 4.2 hours, a typical home in New York needs a system sized to its usage and local sun — see exact numbers on the New York solar cost page or work it out with our sizing guide.
Peak sun hours by city in New York
Sunlight varies within New York. Here are city-level figures from multi-year irradiance data.
| City | Peak sun hours/day | Annual kWh per kW |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | 4.07 | 1,188 |
| Buffalo | 3.93 | 1,148 |
| Rochester | 3.83 | 1,118 |
| Yonkers | 4.03 | 1,177 |
Peak sun hours in New York: FAQ
How many peak sun hours does New York get?
New York averages about 4.2 peak sun hours per day — 11% below the US average. That works out to roughly 1,226 kWh of electricity per year for every 1 kW of solar installed.
Is New York good for solar based on sunlight?
Sunlight is only part of the picture. New York's 4.2 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 New York solar cost page.