Solar PV Analysis of Santiago De Cali, Colombia
Santiago de Cali, Colombia, is a very suitable location for generating solar power all year round. This is due to its tropical climate where sunlight is consistent for most of the year. The amount of electricity that can be generated from every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies slightly with each season but remains fairly high: 4.63 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer, 4.79 kWh/day in autumn, 4.44 kWh/day in winter and 4.59 kWh/day in spring.
For maximum energy production throughout the year, it's recommended to tilt the solar panels at an angle of three degrees towards the south if they are fixed installations.
However, there might be some local factors that could affect solar production at this location such as heavy rainfall during wet seasons or dust accumulation on panels which may reduce their efficiency. To overcome these challenges and ensure greater energy production:
1) Install a weather-resistant structure to protect your panels from heavy rain.
2) Regularly clean your panels to remove any dust or debris that may have accumulated over time.
3) Consider using tracking systems for your panels so they can follow the sun's path across the sky and capture more sunlight especially during shorter winter days.
These measures will help you get the most out of your investment in solar power at this location by maximizing energy generation throughout different seasons while mitigating potential impacts from environmental or weather conditions specific to Santiago de Cali, Colombia.
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 Santiago De Cali
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 3.4129, Longitude: -76.5191 (Santiago De Cali, 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 3° South in Santiago De Cali, Colombia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Santiago De Cali, Colombia (Lat/Long 3.4129, -76.5191) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 3° 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 Santiago De Cali, 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 Santiago De Cali, Colombia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 3° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13° North in Summer | 9° South in Autumn | 19° South in Winter | 3° 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 Santiago De Cali, 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 Santiago De Cali, 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 Santiago De Cali, Colombia
Santiago de Cali, also known as Cali, is located in a valley in the Andes mountain range of western Colombia. The city itself lies on relatively flat terrain, but it is surrounded by mountains to the east and west. To its north and south are also hilly regions with some plains.
The topography around Santiago de Cali varies considerably due to its geographical location between the Western and Central Cordillera of the Andes. At higher altitudes, you can find steep slopes while at lower altitudes there are flatter areas suitable for agriculture.
Regarding solar PV installations, large-scale solar projects require ample space and high levels of sunlight. The flat lands surrounding Cali could be potential sites for such installations since they would provide enough space for large arrays of solar panels.
However, other factors need to be considered when identifying suitable locations for large-scale solar PV installations:
1) Sunlight: While Colombia has a good level of sunlight year-round due to its proximity to the equator, local weather patterns should be studied over several years to ensure consistent sunlight availability.
2) Accessibility: Large-scale solar projects require access routes for installation and maintenance purposes. Locations that are too remote or difficult to access might not be suitable despite their topographic advantages.
3) Environmental Impact: Any potential site needs an environmental impact assessment before development can begin. Areas that are environmentally sensitive or have high biodiversity may not be appropriate for such developments.
4) Infrastructure: Proximity to power grids or substations would also matter as it will influence costs related with electricity transmission.
In general terms though without considering these additional factors yet, areas towards the North-Eastern side (towards Cartago), North-Western side (towards Dagua), Southern part near Jamundí could potentially offer spaces with less elevation changes making them more suited theoretically speaking from a purely topographical perspective.
For precise suggestions though regarding specific plots/areas, a more in-depth study that includes these factors would be required.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 2nd of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
