How Much Energy Does a Solar Panel Produce in Chicago?

Suppose you are going to install a solar setup, or want to understand your existing system’s output, or you’re simply wondering how much a solar panel can give off. In that case, you’ll probably want to know the answer to the question: “How much energy does a solar panel produce in Chicago?” 

We understand the complexities of the subject. As we all know, Chicago’s mix of sunny summers and cloudy winters makes it hard to pinpoint its solar energy output. So in this guide, we’ll break down the answer to “How much energy do solar panels produce per day and over a full year?” using real data from the Chicago area. We’ll have to do some calculations to see how much power a solar panel can generate and how much energy an average household needs. That will help you determine the right size for your solar panel system and project your savings.

You will understand the factors influencing production, which make it even harder to calculate the exact amount. We’ll also lay out what to expect from different system sizes and the realistic amount of electricity your panels could generate for your property.

What Influences Solar Panel Power Output in Chicago 

The question “How much power does a solar panel produce?” is basically the same as the question “How long does it take to drive to work?” The answer largely depends on many factors: traffic, route, time of day, weather, etc. And the same can be said about solar output. 

There are many things to think about, including:

• Solar panel wattage
• Weather, roof incline, amount of shade, tilt, direction, etc.
• Losses in the system (inverters, shading, wiring, or dirt)
• Seasonal factors (summer vs. winter)
• The amount of peak sunlight or “solar irradiance.”

So, there is no universally applicable figure. However, if we factor in real data and perform specific computations for Chicago’s solar conditions, we can obtain a reliable estimate. Let’s take a look.

 

Source: Anker SOLIX

 

 

How To Estimate Energy Production From One Solar Panel in Chicago

Let’s break down solar production using real calculations so you can see how much energy one panel can generate daily and annually in Chicago.

We’ll look at two common methods:

1. Annual kWh-per-kW method
2. Peak sun hours method

Both are widely used in the solar industry.

Example: Average Solar Panel Output 

Let’s use 350- and 300-watt panels (0.3 and 0.35 kW) for our estimate, as they are very common in Chicago, IL.

Method 1: Using Chicago’s Annual Average Production

It is very difficult to calculate the average annual solar production rate, so our estimate will be based on the available data. The research states that Chicago homes generally produce around 1,200 kWh/kW/year. We’ll use that for our calculation.

• 0.35 kW × 1,200 kWh/kW/year = 420 kWh per year
• 0.3 kW × 1,200 kWh/kW/year = 360 kWh per year

How much energy does a solar panel produce per day? 

• 420 kWh ÷ 365 days ≈ 1.15 kWh/day
• 360 kWh ÷ 365 days ≈ 0.98 kWh/day

Method 2: During Peak Sunlight Hours 

For our calculations, we’ll use the following formula:

Panel power (kW) × peak sunlight hours/day

Illinois has 3 – 4 peak sun hours per day. Chicago gets around 4.

Now let’s calculate:

• 0.35 kW × 4 h = 1.4 kWh/day
• 0.3 kW × 4 h = 1.2 kWh/day

But real-world conditions reduce this due to:

• Inverter loss
• Dust/dirt
• Wiring loss
• Shading
• Heat loss

Most systems lose 10–20%. If we assume that system losses amount to 15%:

• 1.4 × 0.85 = 1.19 kWh/day and 1.2 × 0.85 = 1.02 kWh/day
• 1.19 × 365 = 434.35 kWh/year and 1.02 × 365 = 372.3 kWh/year

Both calculations fall in the same range:

• 0.98–1.2 kWh/day
• 360–435 kWh/year

This is the realistic output of typical 350W and 300W solar panels in Chicago. 

 

 

How Much Electricity Do Solar Panels Generate in a Typical Chicago Home?

To estimate how much energy an average residential solar panel system can yield, we need to know the typical size of a solar system. According to EcoWatch, Chicago homeowners normally install a 6.5 kW system. We’ll use that for our calculation. 

To figure out the annual output of a 6.5 kW system, we have to multiply 6.5 kW by the average yearly production rate in Chicago:  

6.5 kW × 1,200 kWh/kW/year = 7,800 kWh/year

The average American home consumes about 30 kWh/day, so a 6.5 kW system might not be enough to cover all electricity needs.

Let’s now calculate the annual and daily output of an 8 kW setup and a 10 kW system.

Here’s a comparative table: 

Source: National Energy Action

What This Means for Your Home

So, if you reside in Chicago and are wondering, “How much electricity does a solar panel produce?” here’s a quick summary:

A properly designed solar panel system sized to your home might be 6-10 kW (DC). A “properly designed” 6–10 kW system means your installer would size the system to match your home’s electricity use and roof space.

In simple terms:

• Smaller home / lower energy use → around 6 kW
• Larger home / higher energy use → closer to 10 kW

Using the regional average we talked about earlier, you could get about 1,200 kWh per 1 kW per year in Chicago. However, you should also bear in mind that this can change depending on many factors. Positively, it can even be a little more, depending on the angle, tilt, and quality. 

Your setup might make a little more power if your panels face south and are at a good angle. So you have to really think about that stuff. That is why a 9.9 kW system can generate up to 12,000 kWh per year. And that energy produced is enough to meet all of an average household’s electrical needs.

Another thing, depending on its size, a system might make about 20 to 33 kWh a day. As you know, an average American home consumes about 30 kWh/day, so that this range could meet most or all of your daily needs.

In Chicago, a typical 350 W panel might realistically produce 1–1.5 kWh/day or more than 400 kWh/year, depending on the panel. So, about 24 panels are needed to cover the electricity use of a typical Chicago home.

Is Solar Worth It in Chicago? 

Regardless of all the math we’ve done to answer the question, “How much energy can a solar panel produce in Chicago?” one thing is for sure: Chicago people, including you, can benefit from using solar energy.

Production indeed fluctuates for many reasons. But we can’t deny that it’s a smart investment. If you already have one, then you already understand why. But if you don’t have one yet, and you’re thinking about getting one, now is the time to look into your options. We’ll help you with that. 

Get your free solar quote, and find out how much money you could save by switching to clean, reliable solar power!

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