Las Condes, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile, situated in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers a promising location for solar energy generation. With its geographical coordinates at -33.4132 latitude and -70.5702 longitude, this area experiences varying levels of solar potential throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Las Condes fluctuates significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 9.40 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 7.77 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 5.30 kWh/day/kW, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.31 kWh/day/kW.

Optimal Installation Angle

For fixed panel installations in Las Condes, Santiago Metropolitan, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 28 degrees facing North. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Peak Generation Periods

The most favorable times for solar energy generation in Las Condes are during the summer months (December to February) and spring (September to November). These seasons offer longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, resulting in higher energy yields. While autumn and winter see reduced output, the area still maintains a reasonable level of solar potential year-round.

Environmental Considerations

Las Condes faces some environmental challenges that could impact solar production. The area is prone to air pollution, particularly during winter months, which can reduce solar panel efficiency. To mitigate this issue, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is crucial. Additionally, installing panels at a steeper angle can help prevent dust and pollutant accumulation.

Another factor to consider is the occasional occurrence of fog, especially in the mornings. While this typically dissipates as the day progresses, it can temporarily reduce solar output. Implementing a system with microinverters or power optimizers can help maximize energy production during these periods of partial shading.

Despite these challenges, Las Condes remains a viable location for solar energy production. With proper installation techniques and regular maintenance, solar PV systems in this area can provide a significant and sustainable source of renewable energy throughout the year.

Note: The Southern Sub Tropics extend from -23.5° latitude South down to -35° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 23 locations across Chile. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Chile by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Las Condes

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.4132, Longitude: -70.5702 (Las Condes, Chile), 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:

Average 9.40kWh/day in Summer.

Average 5.30kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 3.31kWh/day in Winter.

Average 7.77kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 28° North in Las Condes, Chile

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Las Condes, Chile (Lat/Long -33.4132, -70.5702) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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.

At Latitude: -33.4132, Longitude: -70.5702, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 28° North

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Las Condes, Chile

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 Las Condes, Chile. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° North tilt angle throughout the year.

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 Las Condes, Chile

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 Las Condes, Chile.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Las Condes, Chile

Las Condes, located in the eastern part of Santiago, Chile, is situated in an area with varied and interesting topography. The city itself is nestled in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, which rise dramatically to the east. This location gives Las Condes a unique landscape that transitions from urban areas to more rugged, mountainous terrain.

The western part of Las Condes is relatively flat, as it's part of the Santiago basin. As you move eastward, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly and elevated. This gradual increase in elevation provides many areas of Las Condes with spectacular views of both the city below and the snow-capped Andes in the distance.

The Mapocho River runs along the northern edge of Las Condes, carving a valley through the landscape. This river valley adds another dimension to the local topography, creating some areas of steeper slopes near its banks.

For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas best suited would likely be found to the north and east of Las Condes, in the more open and less densely populated regions. The Andean foothills, while beautiful, are generally too steep and rugged for efficient solar farm development. Instead, the flatter areas of the Santiago basin, particularly to the north where there is less urban development, would be more appropriate.

Specifically, the communes of Colina and Lampa, located to the north of Santiago, offer vast open spaces with relatively flat terrain. These areas receive ample sunlight due to their location in the central valley of Chile, making them potentially ideal for large-scale solar projects. The Chacabuco Province, which includes these communes, has already seen some renewable energy development and could be suitable for further expansion.

It's worth noting that while the immediate surroundings of Las Condes may not be optimal for large-scale solar farms due to urban development and mountainous terrain, the broader Santiago Metropolitan Region does offer promising locations. The key is to find a balance between proximity to the energy-demanding urban areas and the availability of suitable, undeveloped land.

Chile solar PV Stats as a country

Chile ranks 22nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 4,468 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 9.10% of Chile's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 5th in the world). Each year Chile is generating 234 Watts from solar PV per capita (Chile ranks 21st in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Chile?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Chile. The Chilean government offers a range of financial incentives and tax credits for businesses that invest in renewable energy projects. These include grants, loans, and subsidies for the installation of solar panels. Additionally, businesses can benefit from net metering policies which allow them to sell excess electricity back to the grid at a premium rate. Finally, businesses may also be eligible for additional incentives such as reduced import duties on solar equipment or accelerated depreciation allowances on investments in renewable energy projects.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Chile? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

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.

©Copyright Aaron Robinson and profileSOLAR.com 2019-2025

Home
Solar: Ashburn
Solar: Worldwide
Solar Panel Tilt Angle
Login

Privacy
Disclaimer
Impressum
Contact Us