Peak sun hours in Texas (2026)
Texas averages 5.3 peak sun hours per day — 12% above the US average of 4.7. In practical terms, every 1 kW of solar there produces about 1,548 kWh of electricity a year.
Peak sun hours/day
5.3
Annual kWh per kW
1,548
vs US average
+12%
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 5.3 hours, a typical home in Texas needs a system sized to its usage and local sun — see exact numbers on the Texas solar cost page or work it out with our sizing guide.
Peak sun hours by city in Texas
Sunlight varies within Texas. Here are city-level figures from multi-year irradiance data.
| City | Peak sun hours/day | Annual kWh per kW |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | 4.63 | 1,352 |
| San Antonio | 4.9 | 1,431 |
| Dallas | 4.8 | 1,402 |
| Fort Worth | 4.89 | 1,428 |
| Austin | 4.81 | 1,405 |
| El Paso | 5.89 | 1,720 |
| Arlington | 4.86 | 1,419 |
| Corpus Christi | 5.04 | 1,472 |
| Plano | 4.79 | 1,399 |
| Laredo | 5.24 | 1,530 |
| Lubbock | 5.45 | 1,591 |
| Garland | 4.77 | 1,393 |
| Irving | 4.83 | 1,410 |
| Cypress | 4.67 | 1,364 |
| Amarillo | 5.37 | 1,568 |
| Grand Prairie | 4.86 | 1,419 |
| Brownsville | 4.98 | 1,454 |
Peak sun hours in Texas: FAQ
How many peak sun hours does Texas get?
Texas averages about 5.3 peak sun hours per day — 12% above the US average. That works out to roughly 1,548 kWh of electricity per year for every 1 kW of solar installed.
Is Texas good for solar based on sunlight?
Sunlight is only part of the picture. Texas's 5.3 peak sun hours help production, but your electricity rate and incentives matter just as much. See the full economics on our Texas solar cost page.