Puente Alto, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile is a pretty good place to set up solar panels to generate electricity. However, how much energy you can generate changes throughout the year because of the seasons.
In summer, each kilowatt of installed solar can produce 9.40 kilowatt-hours per day - that's a lot! Autumn produces less with 5.30 kilowatt-hours per day and winter even less at 3.31 kilowatt-hours per day due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun position in the sky. Spring sees an increase again with 7.77 kilowatt-hours per day.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round in Puente Alto, Santiago Metropolitan, you should tilt them at an angle of 28 degrees facing north.
There might be some things that could stop your solar panels from working as well as they should here though. For example, if it's cloudy or rainy often this could block sunlight from reaching your panels which means they won't produce as much electricity - but this largely depends on local weather conditions which vary year by year.
If there are lots of birds in the area who might poop on your panels or trees that could drop leaves onto them this would also block sunlight so regular cleaning would be needed for maximum power generation.
So overall, Puente Alto is a decent location for generating energy via solar PV especially during summer and spring months when daylight hours are longer and sun is higher in the sky; just make sure you're aware of any potential issues like local weather patterns or environmental factors such as bird droppings or fallen leaves blocking sunlight from reaching your panels which may require additional maintenance efforts.
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 Puente Alto
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.6141, Longitude: -70.5893 (Puente Alto, 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:




 
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 28° North in Puente Alto, Chile
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Puente Alto, Chile (Lat/Long -33.6141, -70.5893) 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.

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Puente Alto, 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 Puente Alto, Chile. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° North tilt angle throughout the year.
Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
---|---|---|---|
17° North in Summer | 38° North in Autumn | 49° North in Winter | 26° 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 Puente Alto, 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 Puente Alto, Chile.
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 Puente Alto, Chile
Puente Alto is located in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of Chile and is surrounded by a varied topography. The region has a mix of flat plains, rolling hills, and mountainous areas due to its proximity to the Andes Mountains. The city itself is situated on relatively flat terrain.
The region experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters which can be suitable for solar PV installations. However, the specific suitability for large-scale solar PV would depend on several factors including land availability, sunlight hours, local regulations among others.
Areas with flat or gently sloping terrains would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations as they provide easier installation and maintenance. Also important are regions that have high annual average daily sun hours.
While Puente Alto itself might be densely populated limiting available space for large scale projects, nearby less populated or agricultural regions could potentially offer better opportunities.
One such area could be towards the east of Puente Alto where there are vast open lands near San José de Maipo within the Maipo Valley - known for its clear skies and good sunlight exposure.
Please note that this is just an assumption based on geographical location and climate conditions; actual feasibility should include detailed site assessments considering all related aspects like environmental impact assessment etc.
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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 1st of May 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.