Solar energy in San José, Costa Rica
Average irradiation 5.15 kWh/m²/day · ~1504 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in San José (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.54 | 22.7 | 135 |
| Feb | 6.28 | 23.5 | 153 |
| Mar | 6.53 | 24.8 | 159 |
| Apr | 5.78 | 25.2 | 141 |
| May | 4.91 | 24.3 | 119 |
| Jun | 4.80 | 23.5 | 117 |
| Jul | 4.66 | 23.4 | 113 |
| Aug | 4.79 | 23.4 | 117 |
| Sep | 4.89 | 23.0 | 119 |
| Oct | 4.37 | 22.6 | 106 |
| Nov | 4.39 | 22.5 | 107 |
| Dec | 4.89 | 22.5 | 119 |
Solar potential of San José explained
San José receives an average of 5.15 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 1504 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places San José among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in San José?
With 5.15 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in San José produces roughly 1504 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 San José?
Approximately 8,000 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
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