Tunja, Departamento de Boyacá, Colombia, located at 5.5386° N, 73.3714° W, presents a favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight, with seasonal variations primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature fluctuations.

Solar Energy Potential

The solar energy potential in Tunja is relatively stable across all seasons, with only minor fluctuations. Winter stands out as the most productive season, yielding an average of 5.43 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Autumn follows closely with 5.25 kWh/day, while spring and summer produce 4.79 kWh/day and 4.78 kWh/day, respectively. This consistent output throughout the year makes Tunja an ideal location for solar PV installations, as it ensures a reliable energy supply without significant seasonal drops in production.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed solar panel installations in Tunja, Departamento de Boyacá, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 6 degrees facing South. This slight tilt helps optimize solar absorption by accounting for the location's proximity to the equator and the sun's path throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Tunja's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are a few factors to consider: 1. Rainfall: The region experiences a bimodal rainfall pattern, with two wet seasons typically occurring from March to May and September to November. Heavy cloud cover during these periods may temporarily reduce solar output. 2. Dust and particulate matter: The dry seasons can lead to increased dust in the air, which may accumulate on solar panels and reduce their efficiency. To mitigate these factors, solar installations in Tunja should incorporate: - Regular cleaning schedules to remove dust and debris from panels, especially during dry seasons. - Slightly steeper tilt angles or adjustable mounts to help shed rainwater and reduce dust accumulation. - High-quality, weather-resistant panels capable of withstanding occasional heavy rainfall. Overall, Tunja's location offers excellent potential for solar energy generation, with consistent year-round output and manageable environmental challenges that can be addressed through proper installation and maintenance practices.

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 Tunja

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 5.5386, Longitude: -73.3714 (Tunja, 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 Tunja, Colombia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tunja, Colombia (Lat/Long 5.5386, -73.3714) 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 Tunja, 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 Tunja, 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	21° 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 Tunja, 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 Tunja, 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 Tunja, Colombia

The city of Tunja, located in central Colombia, sits atop the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes Mountains. The surrounding topography is characterized by a mix of high-altitude plateaus, rolling hills, and steep valleys. Tunja itself is situated on a relatively flat area known as the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, which has an average elevation of around 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) above sea level. To the east and west of Tunja, the terrain becomes more rugged, with deep valleys carved by rivers and streams. These areas feature a combination of forested slopes and agricultural lands, creating a patchwork of green hues across the landscape. The eastern slopes tend to be more gradual, while the western side of the cordillera presents steeper inclines and more dramatic changes in elevation.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas nearby Tunja for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The most suitable locations would be relatively flat, open areas with good sun exposure and minimal shading from surrounding terrain or vegetation. The Altiplano Cundiboyacense, extending to the north and south of Tunja, offers promising potential for solar PV development. This high-altitude plateau receives ample sunlight throughout the year and has large expanses of open land. Many of these areas are currently used for agriculture, but some could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production. Areas to the east of Tunja, where the terrain begins to descend towards the Llanos region, might also present opportunities for solar installations. These lower-elevation zones often have gentler slopes and more consistent sun exposure compared to the western slopes of the cordillera. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, land use regulations, and the interests of local communities. The region's agricultural importance and unique ecosystems must be taken into account when planning such developments. Additionally, while the high altitude of the region can be advantageous for solar energy production due to reduced atmospheric interference, it also presents challenges in terms of infrastructure development and maintenance. Careful planning and engineering would be required to overcome these obstacles and maximize the potential of solar PV in the Tunja area.

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.