Costa Rica Solar Report

Discover comprehensive insights into the statistics, market trends, and growth potential surrounding the solar panel manufacturing industry in Costa Rica

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  14. Costa Rica. (2023). Water Rates. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.costarica.com/business/water-rates https://www.costarica.com/business/water-rates
  15. Properties in Costa Rica. (2023). Office Space. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.propertiesincostarica.com/office_space.html
  16. Delphos. (2023). Costa Rica Renewables. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://delphos.co/costa-rica-renewables/
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  19. Minae. (2023).  OECD Environmental Performance  Reviews Costa Rica. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://minae.go.cr/organizacion/vicegestionestrategica/SEPLASA/OECD_Environmental_Performance_Reviews_CostaRica_2023.pdf
  20. Pv Magazine. (2023). Feed in Tariffs in America – Costa Rica. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.pv-magazine.com/features/archive/solar-incentives-and-fits/feed-in-tariffs-in-america/#costa_rica
  21. IEA. (2023). Costa Rica Regulation on Net Metering Technical Standard for Planning Operation and Access to National Grid. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.iea.org/policies/6145-costa-rica-regulation-on-net-metering-technical-standard-for-planning-operation-and-access-to-national-grid
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  23. IEA. (2023). VII National Energy Plan of Costa Rica 2015-2030. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.iea.org/policies/6238-vii-national-energy-plan-of-costa-rica-2015-2030
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  25. World Future Council. (2023). Scenario %100 Renewable Energy in Costa Rica, Summary for Policy-Makers. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from  https://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/wfc_costarica-100-re-summary_FINAl1.pdf
  26. Science Info. (2023). Costa Rica Largest Solar Park. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from    https://scienceinfo.net/costa-ricas-largest-solar-park-comes-into-operation.html
  27. Tico Times. (2019). Costa Rica Inaugurates Countrys Larest Solar Park. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://ticotimes.net/2019/03/31/costa-rica-inaugurates-countrys-largest-solar-park
  28. Constructorameco. (2024). Miravalles Solar Energy Project. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://en.constructorameco.com/portfolio-item/miravalles-solar-energy-project/
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  30. The Costa Rica News. (2019). The Largest Solar Park in Costa Rica is Being Built in San Carlos. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://thecostaricanews.com/the-largest-solar-park-in-costa-rica-is-being-built-in-san-carlos/
  31. Costa Rican American Connection. (2023). Guanacaste Home Costa Ricas Largest Solar Park. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.costarican-american-connection.com/guanacaste-home-costa-ricas-largest-solar-park
  32. Enertiva. (2023). Services. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://enertiva.com/#servicios
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  34. ISEA Solar. (2023). ISEA Solar. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://www.iseasolar.com/
  35. Green Energy. (2023). Green Energy. Retrieved June 29, 2024, from https://greenenergy.cr/en/home/

Key points

  • All figures have been converted into USD

Yearly sunshine (sun hours per year)

On average, Costa Rica receives about 2,000 hours of sunshine annually. 1

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kWh per kWp installed

The kWh per kWp installed in Costa Rica varies by province and territory but the national average is approximately 1400-1700 kWh/kW/yr. 2

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Average cost per kWh from utility company

As of the latest available data, the average cost of electricity in Costa Rica is approximately 0.17 to 0.212 USD per kWh. 3

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Reliability of electrical power supply grid

The reliability of the electrical power supply grid in Costa Rica is generally high with an electricity supply rate of around 100%. This indicates that the vast majority of the population has access to a stable and reliable electricity supply. 4

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Detailed Information

  • All figures have been converted into USD

    • Total solar panel production capacity (installed)

    As of 2024, Costa Rica has about 109 MW installed total solar panel production capacity. 5

    Total solar panel production capacity (projected)

    Costa Rica’s projected solar panel production capacity by 2026 is expected to reach approximately 270 MW. This projection aligns with the country’s ambitious renewable energy goals, which aim for 100% renewable electricity generation, supported by Costa Rica solar solutions. 6

    Average costs of various electricity generation sources (coal, natural gas, solar, etc)

    (Not Available)

    Percentages of various electricity generation sources (coal, natural gas, solar, etc)

    The Costa Rica energy generation matrix for 2022 is composed of 74% hydroelectric power, 12.8% geothermal energy, 12.5% wind power, 0.54% biomass, and 0.07% solar power. During 2023, up to July, Costa Rica generated 4.5% of its electricity with bunker oil due to the El Niño phenomenon, whereas historically, the use of bunker oil was always below 1%. 7

    Average daily availability of electricity from the national grid (measured in hours)

    In Costa Rica, the daily availability of electricity can be subject to variations, particularly during extreme weather conditions such as droughts.

    In 2024, due to severe drought conditions caused by the El Niño phenomenon, Costa Rica experienced scheduled electricity rationing to manage reduced hydroelectric generation. The rationing involved daily power cuts lasting up to three hours but did not affect critical infrastructure like hospitals and high-voltage industrial customers​. 8

    Number of residential solar panel installations

    As of the latest available data, Costa Rica has approximately 2,000 residential solar panel installations with an additional 1,000 installations projected in the near future. This growth reflects the country’s commitment to expanding renewable energy sources and reducing reliance on traditional power generation methods. 9

    Total number of solar farms (installed and projected)

    Installed:

    In Costa Rica, three major solar parks are installed; Juanilama by Coopeguanacaste, Pocosol by Coopelesca, and Valle Escondido that will be built in 2021 by BMR Energy, contracted by ICE but not in use. 7

    Projected:

    It is not possible to give an exact number for projected solar farm in Costa Rica, however

    The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) has announced that it will install 270 MW of solar farms by 2026. 6

    Off-grid market demand for solar panels (current and projected)

    (Not Available)

    On-grid market demand for solar panels (current and projected)

    Current:

    The current demand for solar energy in Costa Rica has been rising, especially due to recent energy challenges. Costa Rica’s solar energy generation was about 0.07% of the total energy mix in 2022, but this has been increasing. By mid-2023, solar energy accounted for approximately 4.5% of the country’s energy generation​. 7

    Projected:

    Costa Rica aims to increase its solar capacity as part of its broader renewable energy goals. While specific megawatt (MW) targets for 2030 are not always outlined in detail, ongoing policy initiatives and regulatory support indicate a clear trajectory towards substantial growth in Costa Rica solar solutions. The country is leveraging innovations in solar technology and favorable investment conditions to achieve these goals​. 10

    Average monthly income of workers in solar industry (labor cost)

    (Not Available)

    Population of the country

    As of 2023, the population of Costa Rica is approximately 5.2 million people. 11

    Average overhead costs of solar panel production (with a brief breakdown)

    The average rent for multi-owned commercial buildings in Costa Rica varies significantly based on location and property type. In major commercial hubs like San José and Heredia, rental rates can range from $12 to $20 per square meter per month. 12

    The electricity price for businesses in Costa Rica is approximately 0.20 to 0.22 USD per kWh. 13

    The industrial water rate in Costa Rica is approximately $2.12 per cubic meter for most usage tiers, with a fixed monthly rate of $34.38 and a service charge of $1.98​ (Wikipedia)​​ (Costa Rica)​. Additional fees include a 13% value-added tax and specific charges for fire hydrant water use and water resource protection. 14

    Worker of solar industry earning is not available for Costa Rica.

    Renting office space in Costa Rica varies depending on the location and amenities. For example, in San José, the rental price for a typical office space ranges from $15 to $19 per square meter per month. Premium locations like Sabana Park and Escazú can have office spaces renting for around $19 per square meter. Maintenance fees are often included in the rental price for many of these spaces. 15

    A summary of the energy infrastructure

    Here’s a summary of the energy infrastructure in Costa Rica:

    Electricity Generation

    • Costa Rica’s total installed electrical capacity stands at approximately 3,517.7 MW, with an impressive 89% dedicated to renewable energy sources.
    • The country generates over 99% of its electricity from renewable sources, a trend that has remained consistent since 2015. The energy mix is predominantly composed of hydropower, which accounts for about 72.2% of electricity generation. This is followed by geothermal energy at 12.7%, and wind energy at 10.8%. Solar power is also gaining traction, though it currently plays a smaller role compared to other renewables. 16

    Transmission & Distribution

    • The transmission network in Costa Rica is managed by several entities, including the state-owned Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) and the Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL).
    • The backbone of the transmission system operates predominantly at high voltage levels, such as 345 kV and 765 kV.
    • The grid interconnects various regions, including remote islands, ensuring robustness and reliability.
    • Plans are in place for further expansions and upgrades to accommodate growing energy demands and enhance grid resilience. 17

    Energy Access

    • In Costa Rica, the daily availability of electricity can be subject to variations, particularly during extreme weather conditions such as droughts. 8

    Energy Export

    • While Costa Rica primarily focuses on domestic energy consumption, it has made strides in promoting renewable energy.
    • In 2021, Costa Rica approved a bill allowing citizens to produce their own renewable electricity and sell surplus energy.
    • However, its energy exports mainly consist of imported products from other countries.18

    Some of the government regulations surrounding solar panel production

    Costa Rica has established a regulatory framework to support the production and deployment of solar panels. The regulations are designed to ensure the safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability of solar energy systems. Key regulations include standards for the installation and maintenance of solar panels, guidelines for connecting solar systems to the national grid and requirements for the recycling and disposal of end-of-life solar panels. The government also mandates compliance with international standards for solar panel manufacturing to ensure quality and reliability. These regulations are enforced by various governmental bodies including the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (ARESEP). 19

    Government initiatives in solar panel production (includes investments and subsidies)

    Feed-in Tariff Program: Costa Rica implemented a feed-in tariff program to encourage solar energy adoption allowing small-scale producers to sell excess electricity to the grid. 20

    Net Metering: The government introduced net metering regulations enabling consumers with solar panels to offset their electricity consumption with the energy they produce. 21

    Tax Incentives: Costa Rica offers tax exemptions on imported solar equipment and components to reduce the cost of solar installations. 22

    National Energy Plan: The government’s National Energy Plan 2015-2030 includes targets for increasing solar energy capacity and promoting distributed generation. 23

    Public-Private Partnerships: The Costa Rican government has partnered with private entities to develop large-scale solar projects such as the Juanilama Solar Park. 24

    Environmental Regulations: Strict environmental regulations ensure that solar panel production and installation adhere to sustainability standards. 25

    Notable solar projects in the country (installed and projected)

    Installed:

    • Juanilama Solar Park: Capacity: 5 MW, Location: Guanacaste Province, Details: One of the first large-scale solar projects in Costa Rica, operational since 2012. 26
    • Pocosol Solar Park: Capacity: 20 MW, Location: Alajuela Province, Details: This project has been operational since 2017 and contributes significantly to the national grid. 27
    • Miravalles Solar Park: Capacity: 1 MW, Location: Guanacaste Province, Details: This solar park is part of a hybrid renewable energy project that includes geothermal energy. 28

    Projected:

    • Cañas Solar Park: Capacity: 50 MW, Location: Guanacaste Province, Details: Expected to be operational by 2025, this project aims to significantly increase Costa Rica’s solar capacity. 29
    • San Carlos Solar Park: Capacity: 30 MW, Location: Alajuela Province, Details: Scheduled for completion by 2024, this project is part of Costa Rica’s ongoing renewable energy initiatives. 30
    • Liberia Solar Park: Capacity: 25 MW, Location: Guanacaste Province, Details: Planned to be operational by 2026, this project will contribute to the national grid. 31

    Some of the notable solar companies (plus brief details on what they do)

    Enertiva: Enertiva is a leading company specializing in the design, installation and maintenance of solar energy systems for residential, commercial and industrial clients. They have been instrumental in numerous solar projects across Costa Rica, providing comprehensive solutions that include photovoltaic systems, solar water heating and energy efficiency services. Their commitment to quality and sustainability has made them a key player in the country’s renewable energy sector. 32

    Solar Costa Rica: Solar Costa Rica focuses on providing high-quality solar panel installations and energy solutions for both residential and commercial sectors. They offer a range of services, including system design, installation and maintenance, ensuring that clients receive tailored solutions to meet their energy needs. Their expertise and dedication to promoting solar energy have helped many households and businesses reduce their energy costs and environmental impact. 33

    ISEA Solar: ISEA Solar is known for its innovative solar energy solutions and commitment to sustainability. They offer a variety of services from solar panel installation to energy efficiency consulting helping clients optimize their energy use and reduce their carbon footprint. ISEA Solar’s focus on cutting-edge technology and customer satisfaction has positioned them as a trusted provider in the Costa Rican solar market. 34

    Green Energy Costa Rica: Green Energy Costa Rica is dedicated to promoting renewable energy through the development and implementation of solar projects. They aim to reduce the carbon footprint and enhance energy independence by providing reliable and efficient solar energy solutions. Their services include project development, system design, installation and maintenance making them a comprehensive provider in the renewable energy sector. 35

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