Solar energy in La Paz, Bolivia
Average irradiation 5.98 kWh/m²/day · ~1746 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in La Paz (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.92 | 8.8 | 144 |
| Feb | 5.90 | 8.6 | 144 |
| Mar | 5.85 | 8.6 | 142 |
| Apr | 5.73 | 8.0 | 139 |
| May | 5.56 | 6.6 | 135 |
| Jun | 5.26 | 5.7 | 128 |
| Jul | 5.39 | 5.1 | 131 |
| Aug | 5.96 | 6.0 | 145 |
| Sep | 6.27 | 7.3 | 152 |
| Oct | 6.70 | 8.6 | 163 |
| Nov | 6.91 | 9.4 | 168 |
| Dec | 6.27 | 9.1 | 152 |
Solar potential of La Paz explained
La Paz receives an average of 5.98 kilowatt-hours of solar energy per square metre per day, measured over four decades of satellite observation. In practical terms, every kilowatt-peak of installed PV capacity yields about 1746 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places La Paz among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in La Paz?
With 5.98 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in La Paz produces roughly 1746 kWh per year. That is an excellent solar resource — payback periods are typically among the shortest worldwide.
How much electricity would a 5 kW system produce in La Paz?
Approximately 9,000 kWh per year — enough to cover a large share of a typical household's consumption.
What data is this based on?
Long-term satellite observations from NASA POWER (1981–present) and the PVGIS SARAH3 database, assuming a performance ratio of 80%.
Compare with nearby cities
São Paulo (4.5) · Rio de Janeiro (4.8) · Buenos Aires (4.6) · Santiago (5) · Bogotá (4.4) · Lima (5.1) · all cities →