☀️ Peak sun hours in Colombia
Egypt gets outstanding sun — roughly 5.5 to 6.5 peak sun hours. Upper Egypt and the desert are highest; the Delta and north coast a little lower.
| Region | Approx. peak sun hours (annual avg) |
|---|---|
| Caribbean coast (Barranquilla) | ~5.3 – 5.8 |
| Bogotá (highlands) | ~4.0 – 4.4 |
| Medellín | ~4.3 – 4.7 |
| Llanos (Villavicencio) | ~4.6 – 5.0 |
Use your local figure in the solar panel calculator and the energy production calculator. Background: peak sun hours by location.
⚡ Electricity prices in Colombia
Household electricity runs roughly COP 800–1,100 per kWh depending on your utility and stratum — among the higher tariffs in South America, and rising.
💸 Incentives & net metering
Colombia's net billing scheme (Law 1715) credits exports against bills, and solar equipment carries zero VAT (IVA) with accelerated depreciation for businesses — a rare double incentive in Latin America.
💰 System cost & payback in Colombia
Local installation is relatively affordable; payback keeps improving:
| System size | Approx. cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | ~COP 9,000,000 – 12,000,000 | Small home |
| 5 kW | ~COP 14,000,000 – 18,000,000 | Typical family home |
| 10 kW | ~COP 26,000,000 – 34,000,000 | Large home / small business |
Work out your own numbers with the ROI calculator and the bill savings calculator, or design the whole system with the system report builder.
💡 Local insight: Colombia
Bogotá's altitude is the hidden advantage: panels run cooler at 2,600 m, so real output beats the paper rating — but hail in the highlands destroys thin-glass modules, so specify 3.2 mm tempered glass rated for hail class 3. The zero-VAT rule applies only when the equipment invoice is properly classified under the solar exemption code; many owners lose the benefit to a paperwork slip.
🧰 Solar tools
Plan your system with these:
- Solar panel calculator — how many panels for your usage and sun hours.
- Solar bill savings calculator — how much you'll save.
- ROI calculator — payback period.
- Battery calculator — if you want backup.
- Full system report — design the whole system in one page.
Related reading: solar panels in hot climates, how many panels to run a house, and peak sun hours by location.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How many peak sun hours does Colombia get?
Roughly 4.0 to 5.8. The Caribbean coast is superb (~5.3–5.8), Bogotá sits around 4.0–4.4 thanks to altitude cloud, and the Llanos reach 4.6–5.0.
Is solar worth it in Colombia?
Yes — rising tariffs, zero VAT on equipment and net billing under Law 1715 bring payback to roughly 5–8 years.
Does Colombia have net metering?
Colombia uses net billing (Law 1715): exported power is credited against future bills at regulated prices.
How much does solar cost in Colombia?
Roughly COP 2.6–3.6 million per kW installed for a typical home system.
Note: Colombia electricity tariffs, net-metering rules and prices change frequently (and with the currency). These figures are approximate, for planning only — verify with your utility and a local installer.