Solar PV Analysis of Duitama, Colombia
Duitama, Departamento de Boyaca, Colombia is a pretty good spot for generating energy through solar panels all year round. This is because it's located in the Tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The only major change in seasons here are wet and dry periods.
The amount of electricity you can expect to get from each kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed varies slightly by season: 4.78 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer, 5.25 kWh/day in autumn, 5.46 kWh/day in winter, and 4.77 kWh/day in spring.
This means that while there might be slight variations across different times of the year, generally speaking you'll be able to generate a similar amount of electricity throughout the entire year using solar panels at this location. Autumn and Winter seem to be slightly better for generating solar power compared to Summer and Spring.
For best results with a fixed panel installation at this location, it's recommended that the panels are tilted at an angle facing 6 degrees South which will help maximize total production from your solar setup throughout the year.
As far as potential issues that could impact your ability to generate solar energy here - there are some factors worth considering:
1) Weather: Being located within tropical region means Duitama experiences both wet and dry seasons which could affect performance of your panels; rainfall during wet season may reduce output but not significantly as sunlight still penetrates through clouds.
2) Dust & Dirt: Over time dust or dirt accumulation on your panels can decrease their efficiency so regular cleaning would help maintain optimal performance.
3) Shading: Any objects such as trees or buildings casting shadows on your panels will decrease their output so it’s important when installing them they’re positioned away from any potential shading sources.
To mitigate these factors:
- Install weather-resistant equipment designed specifically for outdoor use.
- Regularly clean off any accumulated dust or dirt from your panels.
- Ensure there are no objects nearby that could cast a shadow on your solar panels.
In summary, Duitama is generally a great location for year-round solar energy production with minor seasonal variations and potential weather-related challenges which can be managed with proper planning and maintenance.
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 65 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 Duitama
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 5.824, Longitude: -73.0395 (Duitama, 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:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 6° South in Duitama, Colombia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Duitama, Colombia (Lat/Long 5.824, -73.0395) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 6° 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 Duitama, 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 Duitama, Colombia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 6° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10° North in Summer | 12° South in Autumn | 22° South in Winter | 1° 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 Duitama, 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 Duitama, Colombia.
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 Duitama, Colombia
Duitama, Colombia is located in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes. The topography around Duitama is largely mountainous and characterized by steep slopes, high peaks, and deep valleys. The city itself sits at an elevation of approximately 2,590 meters above sea level.
Despite this mountainous terrain, there are also relatively flat areas in the region that could potentially be suited for large-scale solar PV installations. These include plateaus and valley floors where land may be available for development.
The suitability of these areas for solar energy production would depend on a variety of factors including their exposure to sunlight (solar irradiance), local weather conditions, accessibility for construction and maintenance operations, as well as environmental or land use restrictions.
Generally speaking though, regions with higher altitudes like Duitama can be good locations for solar power generation due to increased solar irradiation levels. However, feasibility studies would need to be conducted to confirm the viability of specific sites in this area.
When considering nearby areas more specifically suited to large-scale solar PV installations based on topographical considerations alone (i.e., relatively flat or gently sloping terrains), potential locations might include lower-altitude regions towards the east and northeast such as Tundama Valley or areas near cities like Tunja which have less rugged terrain compared to other parts of Boyacá Department where Duitama is located.
Remember that aside from topography other factors such as climate conditions (rainfall pattern & cloud cover), grid connectivity infrastructure availability etc., will also play a significant role when assessing suitability for large scale Solar PV projects.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 31st of May 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
