Solar energy in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Average irradiation 5.22 kWh/m²/day · ~1524 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in San Juan (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4.31 | 25.2 | 105 |
| Feb | 5.01 | 25.2 | 122 |
| Mar | 5.48 | 25.5 | 133 |
| Apr | 5.93 | 26.3 | 144 |
| May | 5.70 | 27.0 | 139 |
| Jun | 5.87 | 27.6 | 143 |
| Jul | 5.87 | 27.9 | 143 |
| Aug | 5.77 | 28.1 | 140 |
| Sep | 5.43 | 28.1 | 132 |
| Oct | 4.89 | 27.6 | 119 |
| Nov | 4.27 | 26.6 | 104 |
| Dec | 4.08 | 25.7 | 99 |
Solar potential of San Juan explained
San Juan receives an average of 5.22 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 1524 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places San Juan among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in San Juan?
With 5.22 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in San Juan produces roughly 1524 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 Juan?
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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