Cartagena, Departamento de Bolivar, Colombia is in the tropics, which means it gets a lot of sunlight throughout the year. This makes it a great place for generating energy using solar panels. The amount of energy you can generate with your solar panels changes slightly with each season: you'll get about 5.83 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in the summer, 5.45 kWh/day in autumn, 6.24 kWh/day in winter and 6.39 kWh/day in spring for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed.

So, when is the best time to generate solar power here? Well, you'll get more energy from your panels during spring and winter because these seasons have higher daily averages compared to summer and autumn.

If you're installing fixed solar panels here, it's best to tilt them towards south at an angle of 10 degrees - this will help maximize how much energy they produce throughout the year.

Now let's talk about things that could potentially affect how well your solar panel system works here:

1) Environmental or weather factors: Cartagena experiences both dry and wet seasons due to its tropical climate – during wet seasons or periods of heavy rainfall there might be less sunlight available for your panels to convert into electricity.

2) Topography: Cartagena is mostly flat but if there are buildings or other structures nearby that cast shadows on your panels this could reduce their efficiency.

To minimize any negative impacts from these factors:

1) For environmental or weather factors: You can't control the weather but regular maintenance would ensure that rainwater doesn't accumulate on your panel surfaces which could block sunlight.

2) For topography-related issues: When installing your system make sure there aren't any objects around that may cast shadows on it – this includes considering future developments like building constructions nearby as well.

In conclusion, Cartagena offers consistent sun exposure making it ideal for solar energy generation. However, careful planning and regular maintenance are key to maximizing the efficiency of your solar panels year-round.

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 173 locations across Colombia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Colombia by location

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

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 10.4013, Longitude: -75.5267 (Cartagena, Colombia), 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:

Average 5.83kWh/day in Summer.

Average 5.45kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 6.24kWh/day in Winter.

Average 6.39kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 10° South in Cartagena, Colombia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cartagena, Colombia (Lat/Long 10.4013, -75.5267) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 10° 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.

At Latitude: 10.4013, Longitude: -75.5267, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 10° South

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Cartagena, Colombia

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 Cartagena, Colombia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 10° South tilt angle throughout the year.

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 Cartagena, Colombia

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 Cartagena, Colombia.

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 Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena, Colombia is located on the northern coast of the country, facing the Caribbean Sea. The city is relatively flat due to its coastal location with an average elevation of 2 meters above sea level. It's surrounded by various bodies of water including the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena Bay and several swamps like Ciénaga de la Virgen and Ciénaga de Tesca.

The region receives abundant sunlight throughout the year due to its proximity to the equator, making it suitable for solar power generation. However, it also experiences high humidity and rainfall which can affect solar panel efficiency.

Given these factors, large-scale solar PV projects would be most suited in areas that are:

1) Near existing infrastructure: Areas close to existing power lines or roads can reduce costs associated with transporting electricity or building new infrastructure.

2) Flat terrain: Flat areas are more suitable for large scale solar installations as they require less land preparation and are easier for installation and maintenance.

3) Low-impact land use: Areas that aren't used for agriculture or natural conservation would be ideal so as not to disrupt local ecosystems or food production.

4) Away from residential areas: To avoid potential conflicts with local communities over land use.

Specifically around Cartagena, potential sites could include unused lands around nearby municipalities such as Turbaco or Arjona. In addition, there may also be opportunities for floating solar PV systems in some of the surrounding swamps or bodies of water if they aren't ecologically sensitive.

However, any decision should take into account a detailed study considering all technical (e.g., irradiation levels), environmental (e.g., biodiversity impacts), social (e.g., local acceptance), and economic aspects (e.g., cost-benefit analysis).

Colombia solar PV Stats as a country

Colombia ranks 74th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 184 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Colombia is generating 4 Watts from solar PV per capita (Colombia ranks 81st in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Colombia?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Colombia. The Colombian government offers a range of financial incentives and tax breaks for businesses that invest in renewable energy projects. These include grants, loans, and subsidies for the purchase of equipment and installation costs. Additionally, businesses can benefit from net metering policies which allow them to sell excess electricity generated by their solar systems back to the grid at a premium rate. Finally, businesses may also be eligible for additional benefits such as reduced import duties on solar equipment or accelerated depreciation allowances on investments in renewable energy projects.

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

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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.

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