Devonshire Parish in Bermuda, located at 32.2997°N, -64.7535°W, offers a promising environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This subtropical location experiences varying levels of solar productivity across different seasons, with notable fluctuations in energy output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 7.41 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.90 kWh/day. Autumn sees a decrease in production to 4.24 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.13 kWh/day per kW installed.

These figures indicate that Devonshire Parish is well-suited for solar energy production, particularly from late spring through early autumn. The substantial difference between summer and winter outputs suggests that while year-round generation is feasible, there is a clear peak season for optimal energy harvesting.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Devonshire Parish, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 27 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Devonshire Parish generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Hurricane risk: Bermuda is susceptible to hurricanes, which could potentially damage solar installations. To mitigate this risk, use hurricane-resistant mounting systems and panels designed to withstand high winds.
• Salt corrosion: The proximity to the ocean increases the risk of salt corrosion. Utilize corrosion-resistant materials and apply protective coatings to extend the lifespan of solar equipment.

By addressing these factors during installation, solar energy systems in Devonshire Parish can be optimized for long-term performance and reliability, making the most of this location's substantial solar potential throughout the year.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 5 locations across Bermuda. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Bermuda by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Devonshire Parish

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 32.2997, Longitude: -64.7535 (Devonshire Parish, Bermuda), 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 27° South in Devonshire Parish, Bermuda

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Devonshire Parish, Bermuda (Lat/Long 32.2997, -64.7535) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 27° 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 Devonshire Parish, Bermuda

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 Devonshire Parish, Bermuda. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 27° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
16° South in Summer	36° South in Autumn	47° South in Winter	24° 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 Devonshire Parish, Bermuda

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 Devonshire Parish, Bermuda.

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 Devonshire Parish, Bermuda

Devonshire Parish, located in the central part of Bermuda, features a diverse topography characteristic of the island's unique geography. The landscape is a mix of gently rolling hills, small valleys, and coastal areas. The terrain is generally low-lying, with the highest points reaching only about 50 meters above sea level. The coastline of Devonshire Parish is marked by small bays, rocky outcrops, and occasional sandy beaches. The interior of Devonshire Parish is dotted with lush vegetation, including endemic Bermuda cedar trees and introduced species like casuarina pines. Small ponds and marshes can be found scattered throughout the area, contributing to the parish's varied ecosystem. The soil is typically thin and rocky, a result of Bermuda's volcanic origins and subsequent coral reef formation.

Potential for Solar PV in Devonshire Parish

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations near Devonshire Parish, several factors come into play. The relatively flat terrain in some parts of the parish could be advantageous for solar panel placement. However, the limited land area in Bermuda poses a significant challenge for large-scale installations. The most suitable areas for solar PV development would likely be found on the larger, open spaces within the parish. These might include cleared land, former agricultural areas, or repurposed industrial sites. The rooftops of larger buildings, such as schools, government facilities, or commercial structures, could also provide viable locations for solar panel installations. It's important to note that Bermuda's strict land use regulations and emphasis on preserving natural beauty may limit the availability of suitable sites for large-scale solar projects. Additionally, the island's vulnerability to hurricanes and tropical storms necessitates careful consideration of the durability and placement of any solar installations. Given these constraints, a more feasible approach to solar energy in Devonshire Parish and Bermuda as a whole might involve a distributed network of smaller installations rather than a single large-scale project. This could include a combination of rooftop solar panels on residential and commercial buildings, along with modest ground-mounted arrays where space permits.

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.