.svg)
Solar PV Analysis of La Paz, Bolivia
La Paz, Bolivia (latitude: -16.5002, longitude: -68.1493) is a favorable location for solar power generation due to its consistent sunlight exposure throughout the year. In this region, the average daily energy production per kW of installed solar capacity varies by season: 6.35 kWh in summer, 6.14 kWh in autumn, 6.26 kWh in winter, and 7.40 kWh in spring.
The higher energy production during spring can be attributed to La Paz's position within the tropics, where wet and dry seasons are more relevant than traditional winter and summer seasons. This results in relatively stable sunlight availability across different times of the year.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, an ideal tilt angle would be 16 degrees North to maximize solar energy capture from direct sunlight throughout the year.
In terms of environmental or topographical factors that could potentially impede solar production at this location, La Paz is situated at a high altitude with mountainous terrain which may cause shading issues on some sites; however careful site selection and positioning of panels can help mitigate these challenges.
Overall, La Paz's latitude and longitude make it well-suited for generating solar power as it experiences ample direct sunlight with minimal cloud cover or other adverse weather conditions that could hinder solar PV performance in this region. By taking into account local factors such as terrain when installing panels and optimizing their tilt angle for maximum sun exposure, one can ensure greater energy production from their solar installation in La Paz throughout the year.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 13 locations across Bolivia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Bolivia by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in La Paz
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -16.5002, Longitude: -68.1493 (La Paz, Bolivia), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 16° North in La Paz, Bolivia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in La Paz, Bolivia (Lat/Long -16.5002, -68.1493) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 16° North for fixed panel installations.
As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.
We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.
Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for La Paz, Bolivia
If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in La Paz, Bolivia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 16° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1° North in Summer | 23° North in Autumn | 32° North in Winter | 10° North in Spring |
Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.
This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.
Calculate solar panel row spacing in La Paz, Bolivia
We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in La Paz, Bolivia.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - Minimum Spacing:
We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.
This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.
Topography for solar PV around La Paz, Bolivia
The topography around La Paz, Bolivia is quite mountainous and hilly. The terrain is mostly rugged and steep, with some flat areas in the valleys and lower-lying regions. Areas nearby that would be most suitable for large scale solar PV are those that are relatively flat or have a gentle slope. Some of these areas include El Alto, Miraflores, Achumani, Calacoto, Sopocachi, and San Antonio. These locations have ample amounts of open space to accommodate large solar installations while also having access to good sunlight all year round.
Bolivia solar PV Stats as a country
Bolivia ranks 76th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 170 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Bolivia is generating 15 Watts from solar PV per capita (Bolivia ranks 68th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Bolivia?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Bolivia. The Bolivian government has implemented a number of policies and programs to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include tax exemptions, subsidies, and other financial incentives for businesses that invest in solar energy projects. Additionally, the government has established a Renewable Energy Fund which provides grants and loans to support renewable energy projects.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Bolivia? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 12th of December 2022
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.
However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.
