Solar PV Analysis of George Town, Cayman Islands
George Town, Cayman Islands is a good location for generating energy via solar panels throughout the year. This is because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is consistent most of the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power varies with seasons, but remains relatively high all year round:
- In summer, you can expect around 6.92 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day.
- In autumn, it drops slightly to about 5.51 kWh/day.
- Winter sees another small drop to approximately 5.28 kWh/day.
- Spring has the highest output with about 7.31 kWh/day.
This means that while spring and summer are ideal times for generating solar energy at this location due to higher sunlight intensity, even during autumn and winter months you'll still get a decent amount of electricity from your solar panels.
If you're installing fixed panel solar installations in George Town, tilting them at an angle of 17 degrees South will maximize their total production over the course of a year.
As far as environmental or weather factors go that could potentially hinder solar production here - there aren't any significant ones mentioned specifically for George Town or Cayman Islands in general. However, common hindrances anywhere include heavy rainfall or cloud cover reducing sunlight exposure on panels; dust or debris covering panels; and damage from severe weather like hurricanes which are known to occur in this region.
To counter these potential issues:
1) Installations should be done professionally ensuring secure mounting structures capable of withstanding strong winds and storms.
2) Regular cleaning/maintenance schedules should be set up to keep panels clear from dust/debris accumulation which can reduce efficiency.
3) Consider investing in systems designed with integrated battery storage so excess power generated during peak sun hours can be stored for use during cloudy periods or overnight when no generation occurs.
In conclusion, George Town, Cayman Islands is a prime location for solar energy production due to its consistent sunlight exposure throughout the year. Proper installation and maintenance can further optimize this renewable energy source.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 2 locations across Cayman Islands. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Cayman Islands by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in George Town
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 19.2886, Longitude: -81.3722 (George Town, Cayman Islands), 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 17° South in George Town, Cayman Islands
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in George Town, Cayman Islands (Lat/Long 19.2886, -81.3722) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 17° 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 George Town, Cayman Islands
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 George Town, Cayman Islands. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 17° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3° South in Summer | 24° South in Autumn | 35° South in Winter | 12° 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 George Town, Cayman Islands
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 George Town, Cayman Islands.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 George Town, Cayman Islands
George Town, Cayman Islands is located on the western side of Grand Cayman Island. The topography around this area is relatively flat with very low elevation. The island features a mix of developed areas, including residential and commercial properties, as well as natural vegetation. The coastline is characterized by sandy beaches and coral reefs.
In terms of large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable locations would be areas that are flat and open to receive maximum sunlight exposure throughout the day. Given George Town's coastal location and tropical climate, there can be considerable cloud cover at times which may affect solar energy generation.
One potential location could be in less densely populated areas or undeveloped lands where there are fewer obstructions to sunlight. Another option could be installing solar panels on rooftops of large buildings in more developed parts of George Town – this has the added advantage of not requiring any additional land space.
However, it's important to note that any such projects would need to consider potential impacts on local ecosystems and wildlife habitats (especially for ground-mounted systems), as well as aesthetic considerations for rooftop installations.
Lastly but importantly, given that George Town lies within a hurricane-prone zone, resilience against high wind speeds should also factor into decisions about where and how to install large-scale solar PV systems.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 13th of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
