Madrid, Cundinamarca, Colombia presents a highly favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, with consistently strong electricity output throughout all seasons. The data shows this tropical location produces between 4.95 and 5.42 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The most productive season for solar generation in Madrid, Cundinamarca, Colombia is autumn, delivering 5.42 kWh/day per kW of installed capacity. Winter follows closely with 5.24 kWh/day, while summer produces 5.10 kWh/day. Spring shows the lowest output at 4.95 kWh/day, though this difference represents only about 9% variation between the best and worst performing seasons. This remarkably consistent performance throughout the year makes Madrid an excellent location for solar PV installations. The minimal seasonal variation means property owners can expect reliable energy production regardless of the time of year.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For maximum year-round solar production at this location, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 5 degrees facing south. This shallow angle is calculated to optimize total annual energy output by accounting for the sun's position throughout the year and weighting for daily solar potential.

Environmental Factors and Challenges

Several local factors could potentially impact solar energy production in Madrid, Cundinamarca, Colombia:

• Heavy rainfall during wet seasons can reduce solar irradiance and create debris accumulation on panels
• High humidity levels may promote faster degradation of electrical components
• Frequent cloud cover during rainy periods can significantly reduce daily energy output
• Dust and organic matter buildup from the tropical environment

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be considered:

• Install panels with adequate drainage systems to prevent water pooling and enable quick drying after rainfall
• Use high-quality weatherproof electrical components rated for tropical climates with enhanced moisture protection
• Implement regular cleaning schedules, particularly during dry seasons when dust accumulation is highest
• Consider slightly steeper mounting angles than the optimal 5 degrees to promote self-cleaning during rain events
• Ensure proper ventilation behind panels to reduce heat buildup and moisture retention

Despite these environmental considerations, Madrid, Cundinamarca, Colombia remains an excellent location for solar PV installations due to its consistent tropical sunlight and relatively stable year-round energy production potential.

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 Madrid

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 4.732, Longitude: -74.2632 (Madrid, 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 5° South in Madrid, Colombia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Madrid, Colombia (Lat/Long 4.732, -74.2632) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 5° 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 Madrid, 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 Madrid, Colombia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 5° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
11° North in Summer	11° South in Autumn	21° South in Winter	2° 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 Madrid, 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 Madrid, 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 Madrid, Colombia

Topographical Features Around Madrid, Colombia

Madrid is situated on the expansive Sabana de Bogotá, a high-altitude plateau that forms part of the Eastern Cordillera of the Colombian Andes. This plateau sits at approximately 2,550 meters above sea level, creating a relatively flat landscape that stretches across much of central Cundinamarca department. The terrain around Madrid is characterized by gently rolling hills interspersed with flat agricultural plains, making it part of one of Colombia's most geographically uniform regions.

The Sabana de Bogotá was formed by ancient lake deposits, which explains the predominantly flat topography and fertile soils found throughout the area. Small rivers and streams meander across this plateau, including tributaries of the Bogotá River system, creating subtle valleys and drainage patterns that add minor undulation to an otherwise level landscape. The elevation changes across the immediate vicinity of Madrid are generally modest, rarely exceeding 100 meters in variation over several kilometers.

Climate and Environmental Conditions

The high-altitude location creates a subtropical highland climate with relatively stable temperatures throughout the year. The region experiences two distinct seasons: a wet season typically lasting from April through November, and a drier period from December through March. Cloud cover patterns vary seasonally, with the dry months generally offering clearer skies and more consistent solar radiation exposure.

The plateau's elevation means that atmospheric conditions are thinner than at sea level, potentially allowing for more direct solar radiation to reach the ground when skies are clear. However, the region's position near the equator means that seasonal variation in daylight duration is minimal, providing consistent day length throughout the year.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Madrid would be the extensive flat agricultural areas that dominate the Sabana de Bogotá. These areas offer several advantages including minimal grading requirements, easy access for construction equipment, and sufficient space for expansive solar arrays. The relatively uniform topography means that shading issues between panel rows would be minimal, allowing for optimal spacing and maximum energy capture.

Areas to the west and southwest of Madrid present particularly favorable conditions, where the plateau extends with minimal interruption for several kilometers. These zones combine flat terrain with good accessibility via existing road networks, making them practical for large-scale development. The agricultural nature of much of this land also means that competing land uses may be more flexible than in developed or environmentally sensitive areas.

The gentle slopes that do exist across the plateau can actually be advantageous for solar installations, as slight southern-facing inclines can improve panel orientation relative to the sun's path. Areas with very subtle elevation changes of just a few degrees could provide optimal tilt angles without requiring artificial mounting adjustments.

Locations near existing electrical infrastructure would be particularly valuable, as the proximity to transmission lines and substations would reduce interconnection costs. The area around Madrid benefits from its location within the broader Bogotá metropolitan region, which has well-developed electrical grid infrastructure that could accommodate large-scale renewable energy input.

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!

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.