Solar Resource Data, Tools, and Maps
Explore solar resource data via our online geospatial tools and downloadable maps and data sets.
Geospatial Data Tools
Developer Network: Solar
This is a list of resources intended to help developers programmatically gain access
to NREL’s geospatial solar data and models.
Solar Radiation Research Laboratory: Baseline Measurement System
Provides access to live graphical displays, current and historic datasets and more
at NREL’s Solar Radiation Research Laboratory in Golden, Colorado.
Federal Energy Management Program Screening Map
Examines the viability of three solar technologies in the United States at the state
and federal levels.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: Tracking the Sun
Collaborative effort between government, industry, and the public to compile a comprehensive
database of photovoltaic installation data for the United States.
National Solar Radiation Database
Contains high-resolution meteorological and solar irradiance datasets for select global
regions.
PVDAQ
Features U.S. photovoltaic performance data contributed to NREL.
PVWatts
Estimates the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic
energy systems throughout the world.
Renewable Energy Atlas
View and explore renewable energy resource data.
Renewable Energy Potential Model
Empowers users to calculate renewable energy capacity, generation, and cost based
on geospatial intersection with grid infrastructure and land-use characteristics.
Solar for All
Visualizes U.S. rooftop solar technical potential by income, building type, and tenure
occupancy in the residential sector.
Tribal Energy Atlas
Explore techno-economic renewable energy potential on tribal lands.
National Solar Radiation Database: International Data
Features a growing list of meteorological and solar irradiance data sets for countries
in different parts of the world.
Renewable Energy Data Explorer
Features solar data sets for the following countries:
Solar Resource Maps
The maps below illustrate select multiyear annual and monthly average maps and geospatial data from the National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB) Physical Solar Model (PSM). The PSM covers most of the Americas. Learn about the NSRDB PSM.
To access the data directly and learn more about data development, please visit the NSRDB.
These maps may be used in electronic and printed publications with proper citation.
Global Horizontal Irradiance
Download the global horizontal irradiance (GHI) maps individually below, or download all the GHI maps at once.
Note: The publication dates listed below don't necessarily reflect the publication dates of the data therein.
Annual Average
Monthly Averages
The monthly average maps use the same color scale and class breaks as the annual average map for the contiguous United States for the purpose of showing monthly variation relative to the annual average.
Direct Normal Irradiance
Download the direct normal irradiance (DNI) maps individually below, or download all the DNI maps at once.
Note: The publication dates listed below don't necessarily reflect the publication dates of the data therein.
Annual Average
Monthly Averages
The monthly average maps use the same color scale and class breaks as the annual average map for the contiguous United States for the purpose of showing monthly variation relative to the annual average.
Solar Resource Data Sets
To make the above maps, the multiyear solar irradiance was calculated from the NSRDB. These derived data sets are provided below as geospatial rasters.
To view and use these data sets, you need appropriate geographic information system software.
The Americas
Cite the Maps and Data
Please cite use of the maps and data accordingly.
Sengupta, M., Y. Xie, A. Lopez, A. Habte, G. Maclaurin, and J. Shelby. 2018. "The National Solar Radiation Data Base (NSRDB)." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 89 (June): 51-60.
Contact
If you have any questions about the maps and data, please contact us.