Solar energy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Average irradiation 4.72 kWh/m²/day · ~1378 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Rio de Janeiro (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.78 | 25.7 | 141 |
| Feb | 5.97 | 25.8 | 145 |
| Mar | 5.14 | 25.4 | 125 |
| Apr | 4.52 | 24.3 | 110 |
| May | 3.68 | 22.3 | 89 |
| Jun | 3.46 | 21.5 | 84 |
| Jul | 3.63 | 20.9 | 88 |
| Aug | 4.26 | 21.3 | 103 |
| Sep | 4.57 | 22.0 | 111 |
| Oct | 5.00 | 22.9 | 122 |
| Nov | 5.05 | 23.4 | 123 |
| Dec | 5.56 | 24.7 | 135 |
Solar potential of Rio de Janeiro explained
Rio de Janeiro receives an average of 4.72 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 1378 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Rio de Janeiro among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Rio de Janeiro?
With 4.72 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Rio de Janeiro produces roughly 1378 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 Rio de Janeiro?
Approximately 7,000 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) · Buenos Aires (4.6) · Santiago (5) · Bogotá (4.4) · Lima (5.1) · Caracas (5) · all cities →