Solar PV Analysis of Pasto, Colombia
Pasto, Departamento de Narino, Colombia is a pretty good location for generating energy using solar panels all year round. This is because it's located in the Tropics where sunlight is pretty consistent throughout most of the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar varies slightly by season, but not by much: you can expect around 4.53 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in Summer, 4.66 kWh/day in Autumn, 4.42 kWh/day in Winter and 4.45 kWh/day in Spring.
The best time to generate solar at this location would probably be during the Autumn when the energy output is slightly higher than other seasons.
If you're installing fixed panel solar installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 1 degree towards the South could help maximize your total yearly production from these panels.
However, there might be some local factors that could potentially impact solar production at this location. For instance:
- Environmental or weather factors: Pasto has a tropical climate with a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year which might affect sunlight availability.
- Topography: Pasto is located near mountains and if your installation site is shaded by these mountains for part of the day it could reduce your potential solar energy production.
To prevent these issues and ensure greater energy production:
- Choose an installation site with minimal shading and maximum exposure to sunlight.
- Regularly clean and maintain your panels to ensure they are performing optimally despite any environmental challenges like heavy rain or dust.
So overall, while there may be some challenges due to weather conditions or topography affecting sunlight availability; with careful planning and maintenance Pasto can still be a very good place for generating power through Solar PV systems all 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 Pasto
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 1.2146, Longitude: -77.2785 (Pasto, 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 1° South in Pasto, Colombia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pasto, Colombia (Lat/Long 1.2146, -77.2785) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 1° 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 Pasto, 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 Pasto, Colombia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 1° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15° North in Summer | 7° South in Autumn | 17° South in Winter | 5° 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 Pasto, 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 Pasto, 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 Pasto, Colombia
Pasto, Colombia is located in the Andes mountain range in southwestern Colombia. The city is situated at an elevation of about 2,527 meters (8,291 ft) above sea level. The topography around Pasto is characterized by high mountains and deep valleys. The area has a tropical climate but it's cooler due to its altitude.
Regarding solar PV installations, flat areas with high amounts of sunlight are ideal for large-scale solar farms. In the region around Pasto, such flat lands are scarce due to the mountainous terrain. However, sloped areas can also be utilized for solar installations with appropriate technology.
The Guaitara River valley could potentially be a suitable location for large-scale solar PV installation given its relatively flatter terrain compared to the surrounding mountains.
However, it's important to note that factors other than topography also play a crucial role in determining suitability for solar power generation such as local climate (amount of sunlight), land use restrictions and environmental considerations among others.
A comprehensive feasibility study including site surveys and environmental impact assessments would need to be conducted before any definite conclusions could be made regarding suitable locations for large-scale solar PV near Pasto.
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: Monday 26th of February 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.
