Villarrica, Región de la Araucanía, Chile, situated at latitude -39.2836 and longitude -72.2174 in the Southern Temperate Zone, presents varying conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production potential.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy output at this location shows marked seasonal differences. Summer months deliver the highest production with 8.44kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.83kWh/day. Energy generation decreases considerably during autumn to 3.74kWh/day, while winter presents the lowest output at just 2.05kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This pattern creates a more than fourfold difference between the best and worst seasons, indicating that Villarrica is not ideal for consistent year-round solar production. The location would benefit from supplementary energy sources during the low-production winter months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For a fixed panel installation at this Villarrica location, the ideal angle to tilt panels to maximize total year-round production from solar PV is 33 degrees North. This specific tilt optimizes annual energy harvest by accounting for the location's position in the Southern Hemisphere.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several significant environmental factors could impact solar production at this location. Villarrica sits near an active volcano in a region known for volcanic ash emissions, which can deposit on solar panels and significantly reduce efficiency. Regular cleaning systems or maintenance schedules should be implemented to address this concern.

The area also experiences relatively high rainfall, particularly during winter months, which coincides with already low solar production periods. Installing panels with good drainage designs and water-shedding features would help minimize production losses during rainy periods.

Cloud cover is another consideration in this region of Chile, which can be persistent during winter. While this cannot be prevented, using high-efficiency panels designed to perform better in diffuse light conditions can help mitigate some production losses during cloudy periods.

Snow may occasionally accumulate on panels during winter, though this is not a major concern at this latitude and elevation. Nevertheless, installing panels at the 33-degree tilt helps with natural snow shedding when it does occur.

Note: The Southern Temperate Zone extends from -35° latitude South down to -66.5° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 115 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 Villarrica

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -39.2836, Longitude: -72.2174 (Villarrica, 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 33° North in Villarrica, Chile

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Villarrica, Chile (Lat/Long -39.2836, -72.2174) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Villarrica, 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 Villarrica, Chile. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
23° North in Summer	43° North in Autumn	54° North in Winter	32° 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 Villarrica, 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 Villarrica, 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 Villarrica, Chile

The topography around Villarrica, Chile presents a dramatic landscape characterized by significant variations in elevation and diverse geographical features. Located in the southern part of Chile's Lake District (La Araucanía region), the area is dominated by the imposing Villarrica Volcano, which stands at approximately 2,847 meters above sea level. This stratovolcano forms part of the Andean mountain range and creates a stunning backdrop to the surrounding terrain. The landscape surrounding Villarrica features a combination of steep volcanic slopes, undulating hills, densely forested areas, and numerous water bodies. Lake Villarrica (Lago Villarrica) lies at the northern foot of the volcano, creating a significant flat water surface in an otherwise varied topography. The elevation generally decreases as one moves westward from the Andes Mountains toward the Pacific Ocean, with the immediate vicinity of Villarrica town sitting at about 227 meters above sea level.

Geographical Diversity

The eastern portions of the region are characterized by higher elevations associated with the Andean foothills, featuring steep slopes and rugged terrain. These mountainous areas transition into more gentle, rolling hills toward the central valley of Chile. The western parts of the region gradually flatten as they approach the coastal ranges. Rivers flowing from the Andes have carved valleys throughout the landscape, creating natural corridors through the terrain. The Toltén River is particularly significant, draining Lake Villarrica and flowing westward toward the Pacific Ocean. These river valleys often provide relatively flat areas amidst the otherwise hilly landscape. Dense native forests cover significant portions of the region, particularly on the slopes of the volcano and in protected areas. These forests consist primarily of southern beech (Nothofagus) species, creating a lush green canopy across much of the landscape.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas near Villarrica offer promising conditions based on topographical considerations: The central valley regions west of Villarrica present the most suitable terrain for large-scale solar PV development. These areas feature more consistent, gently sloping or flat terrain that would minimize site preparation costs and engineering challenges. Specifically, the agricultural lands between Villarrica and Loncoche offer relatively flat expanses with adequate drainage and accessibility. The northern shores of Lake Villarrica contain some flat to gently sloping areas that could accommodate solar installations, though competition with tourism and residential development may present challenges in these locations. Elevated plateaus found in the transitional zones between the Andean foothills and the central valley provide interesting opportunities. These areas often receive good solar exposure while experiencing less cloud cover than lower-lying regions. The terrain southwest of Villarrica, moving toward Pucón, contains several such plateaus. It's worth noting that while the mountainous eastern regions receive abundant solar radiation due to their elevation, their steep slopes and difficult access make them less practical for large-scale installations. Similarly, heavily forested areas would require significant clearing, raising environmental concerns. The most promising areas combine relatively flat terrain, proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, and adequate distance from the volcano to minimize risks from ash fall or other volcanic hazards. Areas along the main highway routes (such as Route 5) also offer logistical advantages for construction and maintenance of large solar installations.

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.