San Bernardo, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile, located in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation. The seasonal variations in electricity output demonstrate the potential for year-round solar energy production, with notable fluctuations across the meteorological seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy generation, with an impressive 9.40 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, producing 7.77 kWh/day. These seasons present ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy output.

Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, yielding 5.30 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest output at 3.31 kWh/day, which is expected due to shorter daylight hours and potentially increased cloud cover.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed panel installations in San Bernardo, 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 location's latitude and the Earth's orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While San Bernardo generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

• Air pollution: Being close to Santiago, the area may experience urban air pollution, which can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency.
• Dust and debris: The semi-arid climate can lead to dust accumulation on panels, potentially affecting their performance.

To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is recommended. Additionally, installing panels at a slight angle helps with natural cleaning during rainfall. For areas prone to dust, consider self-cleaning panel technologies or scheduling more frequent cleaning sessions.

Overall, San Bernardo presents a favorable location for solar PV energy generation, with strong potential during summer and spring months. While winter output is lower, the year-round production capability makes it a viable option for sustainable energy solutions in this Chilean city.

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 San Bernardo

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.5901, Longitude: -70.6956 (San Bernardo, 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 San Bernardo, Chile

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in San Bernardo, Chile (Lat/Long -33.5901, -70.6956) 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: -33.5901, Longitude: -70.6956, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 28° North

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for San Bernardo, 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 San Bernardo, 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 San Bernardo, 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 San Bernardo, 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 San Bernardo, Chile

The area around San Bernardo, Chile, is characterized by a diverse and interesting topography. San Bernardo itself is located in the central valley of Chile, which is a relatively flat area nestled between two major mountain ranges. To the east, you'll find the impressive Andes Mountains, which form a dramatic backdrop to the region. These mountains rise steeply from the valley floor, creating a stark contrast between the flat urban areas and the rugged peaks.

To the west of San Bernardo, you'll encounter a smaller mountain range called the Chilean Coastal Range. While not as tall or imposing as the Andes, these mountains still provide a significant geographical feature in the area. Between these two mountain ranges lies the central valley, where San Bernardo and many other Chilean cities are situated.

The terrain immediately surrounding San Bernardo is generally flat to gently rolling, with some small hills and valleys. This area is part of the Santiago Metropolitan Region and is heavily urbanized, with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial development. As you move away from the city center, you'll find more open spaces and agricultural land, particularly to the south and west.

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few factors to keep in mind. The ideal location would have ample sunlight exposure, relatively flat terrain, and be away from densely populated areas. With these criteria in mind, the following areas near San Bernardo could be potential candidates:

1. The open areas to the south and southwest of San Bernardo, where there is more undeveloped land and agricultural fields. These areas generally have good sun exposure and flat terrain, making them suitable for solar panel installation.
2. The foothills of the Andes Mountains to the east, particularly areas that are not too steep or shadowed by the mountains. These locations might offer good sun exposure and less competition for land use.
3. Portions of the Chilean Coastal Range to the west that have gentler slopes and face the sun. While some areas might be too steep or forested, there could be suitable locations for solar farms.

It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site assessments, environmental impact studies, and compliance with local regulations. The proximity to the electrical grid and the availability of land for development would also be crucial factors in determining the most suitable locations for solar energy projects in the region.

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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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.

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