Solar PV Analysis of San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico is a good location for solar energy production year-round because it's in the tropics. This means that sunlight is pretty consistent throughout the year, and there aren't big changes in daylight hours between seasons like you might see in other parts of the world.
The amount of electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies a bit by season: 6.53 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer, 5.74 kWh/day in autumn, 5.28 kWh/day in winter, and 6.78 kWh/day in spring.
To get the most out of your solar panels over the course of a whole year at this location, they should be installed at an angle pointing 17 degrees southward.
However, despite these benefits there could be some local factors that might affect how much power you can produce from your solar panels:
1) Weather: The tropical climate also means San Juan has wet and dry seasons - during wet seasons or periods with lots of cloud cover or rainstorms, less sunlight will reach your panels so they'll produce less electricity.
2) Environmental Factors: Depending on where exactly you're installing your panels – trees or buildings could potentially block sunlight reaching them if not properly considered during installation.
3) Hurricane Season: San Juan is susceptible to hurricanes which could damage unprotected solar installations.
Preventative measures that can help ensure greater energy production include:
1) Regular cleaning and maintenance to keep the panels free from dust or debris which can block light.
2) If possible place your installation where it won’t be shaded by trees or buildings especially during peak sun hours.
3) Consider using hurricane-resistant mounting systems for panel installation to protect against potential storm damage.
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 42 locations across Puerto Rico. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Puerto Rico by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in San Juan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 18.3861, Longitude: -66.0434 (San Juan, Puerto Rico), 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 17° South in San Juan, Puerto Rico
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in San Juan, Puerto Rico (Lat/Long 18.3861, -66.0434) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 17° South 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 San Juan, Puerto Rico
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 Juan, Puerto Rico. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 17° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2° South in Summer | 24° South in Autumn | 34° South in Winter | 12° South 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 San Juan, Puerto Rico
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 Juan, Puerto Rico.
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 San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico is located on the northeastern coast of the island. The area is characterized by a mix of flat coastal plains and hilly regions, particularly towards the interior of the island. There are also several bodies of water nearby including San Juan Bay and Laguna del Condado.
The topography around San Juan varies widely from sea level to mountains reaching heights over 1,000 feet within city limits. The northern part of San Juan (towards Atlantic Ocean) is relatively flat with elevations rarely exceeding 200 feet, while southern parts (inland) are hilly and mountainous.
As for large-scale solar PV installations, it would require areas with high sun exposure and relatively flat terrain to maximize efficiency. Therefore, considering topography alone, coastal plains in the north or northwest near Dorado or Toa Baja may be more suitable due to their flatter terrains compared to hilly inland regions.
However, other factors such as land use restrictions, environmental impact considerations and proximity to grid infrastructure also need to be taken into account when determining suitability for large-scale solar PV installations. It's important that any potential site undergoes a thorough feasibility study before proceeding with development.
Puerto Rico solar PV Stats as a country
Puerto Rico ranks 48th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 491 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Puerto Rico is generating 154 Watts from solar PV per capita (Puerto Rico ranks 33rd in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Puerto Rico?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico Energy Commission (PREC) offers a net metering program that allows businesses to receive credits on their electricity bills for the excess energy they generate from their solar systems. Additionally, businesses may be eligible for federal tax credits and accelerated depreciation benefits. The PREC also provides grants and loans to help offset the cost of installing solar systems.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Puerto Rico? 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: Wednesday 24th of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
