Solar Energy Potential in Berisso, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Berisso, Buenos Aires, Argentina, located at latitude -34.8652 and longitude -57.8857 in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers moderate to good conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, with significant seasonal variations. The location experiences its peak solar energy production during summer months, generating an impressive 7.85kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 6.35kWh/day per kW installed. Energy production decreases considerably during autumn (4.53kWh/day) and reaches its lowest point in winter with only 3.11kWh/day per kW of installed capacity.

Seasonal Variations and Optimal Installation

For fixed panel installations in Berisso, Buenos Aires, the ideal angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing North. This tilt optimizes the annual energy harvest by balancing seasonal variations, capturing more energy during winter months while still performing well during the more productive summer period. The significant difference between summer and winter production (a decrease of over 60% from summer to winter) indicates that Berisso experiences pronounced seasonal changes in solar potential. This suggests that system sizing should account for these variations, potentially oversizing somewhat to ensure adequate winter production if year-round self-sufficiency is desired.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could impact solar production in Berisso:

• Proximity to the Río de la Plata estuary may increase humidity and fog occurrence, potentially reducing solar irradiance during morning hours
• The region can experience dust storms from the Pampas region which may accumulate on panels and reduce efficiency
• Occasional hailstorms, though infrequent, could pose a physical risk to solar installations

Preventative measures for these conditions include installing panels with tempered glass that can withstand hail impacts, implementing regular cleaning protocols to remove dust accumulation, and potentially utilizing automated cleaning systems in dustier periods. Additionally, slightly increasing the tilt angle beyond the optimal 30 degrees can help with natural cleaning through rainfall. The relatively consistent seasonal patterns make Berisso a predictable location for solar energy production, allowing for reliable system design despite the winter production dip. Overall, while not among the world's most ideal solar locations, Berisso offers viable conditions for solar PV implementation with proper system design considerations.

Note: The Southern Sub Tropics extend from -23.5° latitude South down to -35° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 519 locations across Argentina. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Argentina by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Berisso

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -34.8652, Longitude: -57.8857 (Berisso, Argentina), 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 30° North in Berisso, Argentina

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Berisso, Argentina (Lat/Long -34.8652, -57.8857) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Berisso, Argentina

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 Berisso, Argentina. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
18° North in Summer	40° North in Autumn	50° North in Winter	27° 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 Berisso, Argentina

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 Berisso, Argentina.

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 Berisso, Argentina

Berisso, Argentina is situated on the eastern edge of the Buenos Aires Province, adjacent to the Río de la Plata estuary. The topography of this region is predominantly characterized by flat, lowland plains typical of the Pampas geographical region. The terrain around Berisso has minimal elevation changes, with most of the area being just a few meters above sea level. The landscape surrounding Berisso consists primarily of coastal plains that gradually merge with the estuary. These plains are part of the larger Río de la Plata coastal plain system, featuring alluvial soils deposited over millennia. The flat nature of this terrain means there are few natural barriers or significant geographical features that would obstruct solar installations.

Coastal Influence

The proximity to the Río de la Plata estuary influences the local topography significantly. The coastline features some marshlands and wetland areas, particularly to the east and northeast of Berisso. These wetlands are part of the natural drainage system of the region but are not ideal for solar PV development due to their environmental sensitivity and potential for flooding.

Agricultural Plains

Moving inland from Berisso (westward), the landscape transitions to agricultural plains. These areas feature extensive flat terrain with rich soils that have historically been used for farming. The flatness of these inland plains provides excellent conditions for large-scale solar PV installations, offering unobstructed exposure to sunlight throughout the day.

Areas Most Suitable for Solar PV

The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations near Berisso would be the inland agricultural plains to the west and southwest of the city. These regions offer several advantages: The flat topography minimizes construction challenges and costs associated with land preparation. There is minimal shading from geographical features, allowing for optimal solar panel placement and efficiency. These inland areas are generally at slightly higher elevations than the coastal zones, reducing flood risks that could affect infrastructure. The agricultural zones between Berisso and La Plata (to the northwest) offer particularly promising locations. These areas combine favorable topography with proximity to existing electrical infrastructure and transportation networks, which would facilitate the construction and grid connection of solar facilities.

Areas to Avoid

The immediate coastal areas and wetlands to the east of Berisso should be avoided for solar development. These locations face several challenges: They have higher flood risks due to their low elevation and proximity to the estuary. The wetland ecosystems are environmentally sensitive and often protected. The soil conditions in these areas may be less stable for supporting solar infrastructure. Additionally, the more densely populated urban areas around Berisso and neighboring La Plata would present challenges for large-scale installations due to limited available space and higher land costs. In summary, the predominantly flat topography of the region surrounding Berisso creates favorable conditions for solar PV development, with the inland agricultural plains offering the most promising locations for large-scale installations due to their elevation, stability, and reduced environmental sensitivity compared to the coastal wetlands.

Argentina solar PV Stats as a country

Argentina ranks 43rd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,071 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 1.50% of Argentina's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 35th in the world). Each year Argentina is generating 24 Watts from solar PV per capita (Argentina ranks 63rd in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Argentina?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Argentina. The government offers a range of tax credits and subsidies for businesses that invest in renewable energy projects. Additionally, the country has implemented a net metering system which allows businesses to sell excess electricity generated from their solar installations back to the grid at a premium rate. Finally, the government also provides access to low-interest loans and grants for businesses looking to invest in solar energy projects.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Argentina? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.