Solar energy in Valparaíso, Chile
Average irradiation 5.16 kWh/m²/day · ~1507 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Valparaíso (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.88 | 17.1 | 192 |
| Feb | 6.95 | 17.4 | 169 |
| Mar | 5.71 | 16.8 | 139 |
| Apr | 4.12 | 15.0 | 100 |
| May | 2.74 | 13.8 | 67 |
| Jun | 2.31 | 12.6 | 56 |
| Jul | 2.61 | 11.8 | 63 |
| Aug | 3.38 | 11.8 | 82 |
| Sep | 4.71 | 12.2 | 115 |
| Oct | 6.09 | 13.1 | 148 |
| Nov | 7.44 | 14.4 | 181 |
| Dec | 8.02 | 15.8 | 195 |
Solar potential of Valparaíso explained
Valparaíso receives an average of 5.16 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 1507 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This places Valparaíso among the stronger solar locations globally — comparable to southern Spain or California.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Valparaíso?
With 5.16 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Valparaíso produces roughly 1507 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 Valparaíso?
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
São Paulo (4.5) · Rio de Janeiro (4.8) · Buenos Aires (4.6) · Santiago (5) · Bogotá (4.4) · Lima (5.1) · all cities →