Havana, Cuba, situated at 23.1492° N, -82.395° W, offers a promising location for solar energy generation. This tropical city experiences consistent sunlight throughout the year, with seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods than temperature fluctuations.

Solar Energy Potential

The solar energy output in Havana varies across the meteorological seasons. Spring yields the highest production at 7.14 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely with 6.90 kWh/day, while autumn and winter see lower outputs of 5.23 kWh/day and 4.64 kWh/day, respectively. These figures indicate that Havana is well-suited for year-round solar energy generation, with peak production occurring during the spring and summer months. The relatively high output even during winter months suggests that solar installations can provide significant energy throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Havana, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 20 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture across all seasons, taking into account the city's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Havana's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Tropical storms and hurricanes: The Caribbean region, including Cuba, is prone to these weather events, which can potentially damage solar installations. 2. High humidity: Havana's tropical climate means high humidity levels, which can lead to increased dust accumulation on panels and potential corrosion of equipment. To mitigate these risks, several preventative measures can be taken:

• Use hurricane-resistant mounting systems and high-quality, durable panels
• Implement regular cleaning schedules to combat dust accumulation
• Choose corrosion-resistant materials for all components
• Install lightning protection systems

By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, solar energy systems in Havana can operate efficiently and withstand local environmental challenges, making the most of the city's abundant solar resources.

Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Havana

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 23.1492, Longitude: -82.395 (Havana, Cuba), 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 20° South in Havana, Cuba

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Havana, Cuba (Lat/Long 23.1492, -82.395) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 20° 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 Havana, Cuba

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 Havana, Cuba. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 20° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
7° South in Summer	28° South in Autumn	38° South in Winter	16° South 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 Havana, Cuba

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 Havana, Cuba.

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 Havana, Cuba

The topography around Havana, Cuba is generally characterized by low-lying coastal plains with some gentle hills inland. The city itself is situated on the northern coast of Cuba, facing the Gulf of Mexico. The immediate area surrounding Havana is relatively flat, with elevations typically ranging from sea level to about 50 meters (164 feet) above sea level.

As you move away from the coast and into the interior, the landscape gradually becomes more undulating. To the east and southeast of Havana, you'll find slightly higher elevations and rolling hills, but nothing that could be considered mountainous. The terrain is mostly composed of fertile plains interspersed with small hills and valleys.

The coastline near Havana features a mix of sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, and mangrove swamps. The famous Malecón, a broad esplanade and seawall, runs along much of Havana's northern shore, protecting the city from the sea.

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the regions to the east and southeast of Havana show the most promise. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy production:

1. They have slightly higher elevations, which can provide better exposure to sunlight throughout the day.
2. The gently rolling terrain allows for the installation of solar panels without significant land modification.
3. These areas are generally less densely populated than the city itself, offering more available land for large-scale installations.
4. The climate in this region is tropical, with abundant sunshine year-round, making it ideal for solar energy production.

Specific locations that might be suitable include the plains around San José de las Lajas, about 30 kilometers southeast of Havana, or the areas near Güines, about 50 kilometers southeast of the capital. These regions offer a good balance of suitable terrain, available land, and proximity to the power infrastructure of the Havana metropolitan area.

It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site-specific assessments, including soil studies, environmental impact evaluations, and consideration of local infrastructure and grid connectivity.

Cuba solar PV Stats as a country

Cuba ranks 68th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 246 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Cuba is generating 22 Watts from solar PV per capita (Cuba ranks 64th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Cuba?

Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Cuba. The Cuban government has implemented a number of policies and programs to encourage the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include tax exemptions, subsidies, and other financial incentives for businesses that invest in solar energy projects. Additionally, the government has established a network of research centers dedicated to developing new technologies related to renewable energy sources.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Cuba? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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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.