Solar energy in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Average irradiation 4.69 kWh/m²/day · ~1369 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.56 | 26.2 | 135 |
| Feb | 5.13 | 25.5 | 125 |
| Mar | 5.02 | 25.4 | 122 |
| Apr | 4.47 | 24.3 | 109 |
| May | 3.63 | 21.6 | 88 |
| Jun | 3.28 | 20.8 | 80 |
| Jul | 3.64 | 20.8 | 88 |
| Aug | 4.43 | 22.9 | 108 |
| Sep | 4.90 | 25.5 | 119 |
| Oct | 5.29 | 27.2 | 129 |
| Nov | 5.60 | 27.1 | 136 |
| Dec | 5.35 | 26.6 | 130 |
Solar potential of Santa Cruz de la Sierra explained
Santa Cruz de la Sierra receives an average of 4.69 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 1369 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Santa Cruz de la Sierra among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
With 4.69 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Santa Cruz de la Sierra produces roughly 1369 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
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) · Rio de Janeiro (4.8) · Buenos Aires (4.6) · Santiago (5) · Bogotá (4.4) · Lima (5.1) · all cities →