Peak sun hours in Virginia (2026)
Virginia averages 4.6 peak sun hours per day — 2% below the US average of 4.7. In practical terms, every 1 kW of solar there produces about 1,343 kWh of electricity a year.
Peak sun hours/day
4.6
Annual kWh per kW
1,343
vs US average
-2%
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 4.6 hours, a typical home in Virginia needs a system sized to its usage and local sun — see exact numbers on the Virginia solar cost page or work it out with our sizing guide.
Peak sun hours by city in Virginia
Sunlight varies within Virginia. Here are city-level figures from multi-year irradiance data.
| City | Peak sun hours/day | Annual kWh per kW |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 4.53 | 1,323 |
| Norfolk | 4.49 | 1,311 |
| Chesapeake | 4.43 | 1,294 |
| Richmond | 4.34 | 1,267 |
| Arlington | 4.13 | 1,206 |
| Newport News | 4.55 | 1,329 |
Peak sun hours in Virginia: FAQ
How many peak sun hours does Virginia get?
Virginia averages about 4.6 peak sun hours per day — 2% below the US average. That works out to roughly 1,343 kWh of electricity per year for every 1 kW of solar installed.
Is Virginia good for solar based on sunlight?
Sunlight is only part of the picture. Virginia's 4.6 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 Virginia solar cost page.