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From Sunlight to Savings: Solar Power’s Impact in The BES Islands
Country or Region Overview
Country or Region: BES Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba – special municipalities of the Netherlands)
Capital: Bonaire: Kralendijk Sint Eustatius: Oranjestad Saba: The Bottom
Total Population: Approximately 27,000 in total (as of 2025)
Geographical Location: The BES Islands are located in the Caribbean region, and form part of the Caribbean Netherlands under Dutch administration. Bonaire lies just off the coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean, while Sint Eustatius and Saba are in the northeastern Caribbean, part of the Leeward Islands. These small islands have tropical climates and are exposed to varying environmental conditions depending on their location.
Solar resource map copyright at 2021 Solargis. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution license (CC BY-SA 4.0). This is a solar resource map from Solargis. For a higher resolution map, please visit and download.
Table of Contents
Solar Irradiation Data in BES Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba – special municipalities of the Netherlands)
The BES Islands enjoy strong and stable solar irradiation, especially Bonaire, which lies closer to the equator. Despite their small size, all three islands receive enough sunlight to support efficient solar systems for homes, resorts, and remote facilities.
Key Solar Irradiation Data:
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Bonaire: 5.8 to 6.3 kWh/m²/day
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Sint Eustatius and Saba: 5.4 to 6.0 kWh/m²/day
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Sunshine Hours: Over 3,000 hours/year, especially on Bonaire
These high irradiation levels make solar energy a practical and valuable solution for reducing diesel dependency and energy costs across all three islands.
If you need to learn more solar power potential in the BES Islands, please feel free to contact Solarvance for more details.
Temperature Factors in BES Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba – special municipalities of the Netherlands)
The islands experience warm temperatures year-round:
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Bonaire: 26–33°C
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Sint Eustatius & Saba: 25–31°C
While higher temperatures can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency, this effect is minimal and manageable with proper airflow beneath the panels. Cooler high-altitude areas on Saba even provide slightly better operating conditions for solar modules.
Energy Demand and Grid Situation in BES Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba – special municipalities of the Netherlands)
Each island operates its own local energy grid, primarily powered by diesel generators, with limited integration of renewables:
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Bonaire: Served by WEB Bonaire, in partnership with ContourGlobal
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Sint Eustatius: Served by STUCO, which has initiated solar+storage microgrids
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Saba: Supplied by Saba Electric Company (SEC), integrating solar into its energy mix
All three islands face high fuel import costs, making electricity expensive and creating a strong case for expanding renewable energy, especially solar.
Preferred System Type in BES Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba – special municipalities of the Netherlands)
Due to their island characteristics and infrastructure limitations, the following system types are recommended:
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Grid-Tied Systems: Ideal for homes and businesses on Bonaire and Sint Eustatius
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Hybrid Systems: Recommended for public institutions, critical services, and remote villas
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Off-Grid Systems: Suitable for secluded homes, agricultural sites, or mountainous areas on Saba
Solar + storage is increasingly popular for improving resilience and lowering fuel dependency.
Dust and Sand Factor in BES Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba – special municipalities of the Netherlands)
Dust is moderate to low across the BES Islands. Bonaire has a dry, arid climate with occasional dust buildup during the dry season. Saba and Sint Eustatius, being greener and wetter, generally experience lower dust levels.
Periodic cleaning (every 1–2 months) ensures optimal system performance, especially on Bonaire.
Humidity and Rainfall (Humidity Factor) in BES Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba – special municipalities of the Netherlands)
Humidity levels range from 70% to 90%, especially during the rainy season from October to January. Saba and Sint Eustatius experience more rainfall and cloud cover than Bonaire.
All systems should include IP65+ weatherproof components, UV-stabilized wiring, and properly ventilated battery enclosures to withstand moisture.
Ocean (Salt Corrosion Factor) in BES Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba – special municipalities of the Netherlands)
Being small islands surrounded by the sea, all installations are exposed to high salt mist, particularly near the coast. Salt corrosion is a serious concern if not properly addressed.
Best practices include using:
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Marine-grade aluminum racking
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Stainless steel hardware
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Sealed junction boxes and inverters
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Anti-corrosive coatings
Frequent inspections are recommended for installations near beaches or on rooftops exposed to sea breezes.
Government Policies and Solar Incentives in BES Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba – special municipalities of the Netherlands)
As municipalities of the Netherlands, the BES Islands follow Dutch and EU energy policy, which supports the transition to renewables:
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Public investments in solar microgrids and hybrid power stations
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Import tax exemptions for renewable equipment
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Funding support from Dutch ministries and EU climate programs
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Growing interest from local utilities in private-public partnerships for solar expansion
Though there are no feed-in tariffs, the islands benefit from the Netherlands’ long-term sustainability vision.
ROI on Solar Systems in BES Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba – special municipalities of the Netherlands)
With electricity prices ranging from USD 0.35 to 0.45/kWh, solar power delivers fast and reliable returns, especially when paired with storage.
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ROI Period: Generally 4 to 6 years
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Key Savings: Substantial diesel reduction and lower monthly electricity costs
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Added Benefits: Resilience during outages and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Long-term maintenance is minimal when systems are designed with corrosion resistance and weatherproofing in mind.
Conclusion on Solar Power in BES Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba – special municipalities of the Netherlands)
Despite their size, the BES Islands have excellent solar potential, driven by high sunshine levels, elevated fuel costs, and a supportive policy environment. Solar power is a vital tool for reducing diesel reliance, improving energy resilience, and lowering utility expenses for residents, businesses, and public institutions.
At Solarvance, we design robust, salt-resistant solar systems made for island conditions. Whether you’re powering a resort in Bonaire, a hillside home in Saba, or a school in Sint Eustatius, we offer reliable solar solutions that deliver long-term value and peace of mind.
Choose Solarvance for Your Solar System
Contact us today to explore customized solar solutions for your needs, whether you’re interested in grid-connected, off-grid, or hybrid solar systems. Our team at Solarvance is here to guide you through every step of the process, from system design to installation and maintenance.
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