Cities near the equator tend to have the highest solar potential because the sun hits the ground more directly: the more direct the sun's rays, the more efficiently solar panels can collect them. 

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The amount of insolation, or the energy captured by the panels, depends on the sun’s position in the sky, time of day, cloud coverage, and other geographical and atmospheric conditions.

Factors that Determine Solar Insolation (how much solar energy hits your solar panel):

• Peak hours and day length: At noon, peak solar insolation occurs due to the sun’s highest position, allowing peak energy to be captured. During sunrise and sunset, the sun is at a lower angle and allows less energy to be captured by panels. Factors such as geographic location and orientation of the panels should be determined to find insolation values to maximize energy output.

• Seasons: summertime creates the highest insolation due to the sun’s higher position in the sky

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• Location and air quality: Solar insolation is higher near the equator due to the sun’s angle with the panels, while areas with higher pollution receive less direct sun as it is deflected in the air