A photovoltaic system installed on top of the north entrance station to Snow Canyon State Park.

Solar radiation is a general term for the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun. This radiation can be captured and converted to useful forms of energy such as heat and electricity, using a variety of technologies. The technical feasibility and economical operation of these technologies at any specific location is very dependent on the nature of the solar resource.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has published solar radiation data manuals for Buildings and for Flat-Plate and Concentrating Collectors. Both manuals provide solar resource information for the United States and its territories; the building manual for common window orientations and the flat-plate and collectors manual for various types of collectors.

Solar radiation data for Salt Lake City (buildings).

Solar Radiation Data for Utah: Buildings

This information was modeled using solar radiation and meteorological data from 1961 to 1990 and will assist with evaluations of passive solar and daylighting features for buildings. In Utah, data table images are available for Cedar City and Salt Lake City. Data sites near Utah are located at Grand Junction, Colorado and Las Vegas and Ely, Nevada.

Salt Lake City, UT
Cedar City, UT
Grand Junction, CO
Las Vegas, NV
Ely, NV

Solar radiation data for Salt Lake City (collectors).

Solar Radiation Data for Utah: Flat-Plate and Concentrating Collectors

The solar radiation values are expressed as monthly and yearly averages for the period of 1961-1990. Minimum and maximum monthly and yearly averages are included to show the variability of a station's solar resource. In Utah, data table pdf's are available for Cedar City and Salt Lake City. Data sites near Utah are located at Grand Junction, Colorado and Las Vegas and Ely, Nevada.

Salt Lake City, UT (pdf)
Cedar City, UT (pdf)
Grand Junction, CO (pdf)
Las Vegas, NV (pdf)
Ely, NV (pdf)