I like solar calculators, and this is an interesting one to explore.

The PV Watts1 calculator from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a simple solar calculator that can help you figure out how much electricity you can generate with a PV system at many locations around the world. (Disclaimer here.)

When you use the calculator, it gives you a measurement of solar radiation in kilowatt-hours per square meter, which is also known as peak sun hours. (Here’s a very detailed explanation of that concept from the U.S. Department of Energy.)  

I used the calculator to compare peak sun hours and kWh of electricity generated for several different locations. You should know that I used all the default settings on the calculator, so the measurements below assume a 4 kilowatt PV system and a fixed tilt, south-facing PV array.

OK, here we go!

• According to this calculator, here in Topeka, Kan., we get an average of 4.95 peak sun hours per day. Over the course of a year that would add up to 5,238 kWh a year, which is worth $403.33 at local electricity prices.

• How about a sunnier location? Well, it looks like Albuquerque, N.M., has 6.48 peak sun hours per day, which produces 6,726 kWh a year for a value of $585.16 in electricity. 

• Or, for less sun, we could look at the Northwest. Famously rainy Seattle, Wash., gets 3.76 peak sun hours a day for 3,879 kWh a year, and $248.26 worth of electricity.

• What about outside the United States? Stockholm, Sweden gets 2.98 peak sun hours a day, and generated 3102 kWh a year. Cairo, Egypt gets 5.66 peak sun hours, and generates 5727 kWh a year.

You can take a look at your location and see how it compares. There’s also a PV Watts 2 calculator, which is more complicated to use, but will allow you to select any location in the United States.

Pictured Above: A PV array in Manchester, Wash., near Seattle. Photo by DOE/NREL/JOHN GROBLER

New York Gov. David Paterson recently announced a plan to increase the state’s use of solar power.  Paterson wants the state to install up to 100 megawatts of solar photovoltaic power systems at public and private facilities such as schools and municipal and commercial buildings. According to the New York Power Authority, 100 megawatts could power approximately 15,000 homes.  

The initiative is part of New York’s 45-By-15 energy plan, which aims to have the state running on 45 percent efficient and clean renewable energy sources by 2015. Here’s a link for more information on New York’s energy initiatives.

Also, find out what other states have similar plans to move toward using renewable energy sources.