Licey al Medio, located in the Dominican Republic, presents a favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight, with seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature variations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy potential in Licey al Medio remains relatively stable across all seasons. Spring and summer offer the highest energy output, with 6.67 kWh and 6.60 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, respectively. Autumn sees a slight decrease to 5.74 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 5.10 kWh/day. However, even during winter, the energy production remains substantial, highlighting the location's year-round suitability for solar power generation.

Optimal Panel Placement

For fixed solar panel installations in Licey al Medio, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 18 degrees facing South. This angle takes into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Licey al Medio is generally well-suited for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider: 1. Tropical storms and hurricanes: The Dominican Republic is susceptible to these weather events, which could potentially damage solar installations. 2. High humidity: The tropical climate can lead to increased moisture, potentially affecting electrical components. To mitigate these risks, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Use hurricane-resistant mounting systems and high-quality, weather-resistant panels
• Install proper drainage systems to prevent water accumulation
• Employ corrosion-resistant materials for all components
• Implement regular maintenance schedules to address any moisture-related issues

By taking these precautions, solar installations in Licey al Medio can maximize their energy production potential and longevity, making the most of this location's favorable solar conditions.

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 27 locations across Dominican Republic. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Dominican Republic by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Licey Al Medio

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 19.4361, Longitude: -70.6031 (Licey Al Medio, Dominican Republic), 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 18° South in Licey Al Medio, Dominican Republic

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Licey Al Medio, Dominican Republic (Lat/Long 19.4361, -70.6031) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 18° 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 Licey Al Medio, Dominican Republic

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 Licey Al Medio, Dominican Republic. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 18° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
3° South in Summer	25° South in Autumn	35° South in Winter	13° 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 Licey Al Medio, Dominican Republic

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 Licey Al Medio, Dominican Republic.

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 Licey Al Medio, Dominican Republic

The topography around Licey al Medio in the Dominican Republic is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills and flat plains. This area is part of the Cibao Valley, a fertile region known for its agricultural productivity. The landscape is generally low-lying, with elevations ranging from about 150 to 300 meters above sea level.

To the north of Licey al Medio, the terrain gradually rises towards the Cordillera Septentrional mountain range. This transition creates a series of foothills and slightly more pronounced slopes. To the south, the land tends to be flatter, extending towards the central plains of the Dominican Republic.

The area is dotted with small rivers and streams that flow through the valley, contributing to its lush vegetation and agricultural potential. These waterways have, over time, shaped the gentle undulations in the landscape.

Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited for this purpose would likely be found in the flatter regions to the south and southeast of Licey al Medio. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy production:

1. The relatively flat terrain reduces the need for extensive land preparation and makes construction and maintenance easier.
2. There is less likelihood of shadowing from hills or mountains, allowing for maximum sun exposure throughout the day.
3. The open spaces in these areas provide room for large arrays of solar panels without significant obstruction.
4. The proximity to existing infrastructure in nearby towns could facilitate grid connection and transportation of materials.

However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would require detailed site-specific assessments, including soil studies, environmental impact evaluations, and consideration of local land use policies. The agricultural importance of the Cibao Valley might also pose challenges in terms of land availability and competing land uses.

Additionally, areas slightly elevated above the valley floor might be considered to mitigate any potential flooding risks, while still maintaining the benefits of the generally flat terrain. These elevated areas could be found on the gentle slopes leading up to the foothills north of Licey al Medio.

Dominican Republic solar PV Stats as a country

Dominican Republic ranks 49th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 490 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Dominican Republic is generating 45 Watts from solar PV per capita (Dominican Republic ranks 53rd in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Dominican Republic?

Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the Dominican Republic. The government offers a range of incentives including tax credits, grants and loans to encourage businesses to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. Additionally, the Dominican Republic has implemented a net metering system which allows businesses to sell excess electricity generated from their solar systems back into the grid at retail rates.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Dominican Republic? 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.