Solar PV Analysis of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
The location at Santo Domingo, Nacional, Dominican Republic is an excellent place for generating energy through solar PV year-round due to its tropical climate. This means that sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year, making it ideal for solar energy production.
In terms of seasonal output, the highest electricity generation happens in spring with 6.95 kWh/day per kW of installed solar followed by summer with 6.45 kWh/day per kW, autumn with 5.99 kWh/day per kW and winter with 5.51 kWh/day per kW.
However, it's important to note that while these figures are good for general planning purposes, actual output can vary based on a number of local factors such as weather and topography.
For example, the wet season may see reduced solar production due to increased cloud cover or heavy rainfall which can block sunlight from reaching the panels. Also if there are any large buildings or trees around that could potentially cast shadows on your panels during certain parts of the day/year then this would also impact your overall energy production.
To maximize total year-round production from solar PV at this location it's recommended that fixed panel installations are tilted at an angle of 17 degrees facing south.
Preventative measures could include choosing a site location where there are minimal obstructions (like tall buildings or trees) and ensuring regular maintenance checks especially after heavy rainfalls during wet seasons to clear any debris from panels which could affect their efficiency.
Overall though given its tropical climate and consistent sunlight throughout most of the year; Santo Domingo in Dominican Republic presents an ideal environment for generating energy via 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 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 Santo Domingo
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 18.4615, Longitude: -69.8965 (Santo Domingo, 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 17° South in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (Lat/Long 18.4615, -69.8965) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 17° 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 Santo Domingo, 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 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 17° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2° South in Summer | 24° South in Autumn | 34° South in Winter | 12° 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 Santo Domingo, 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 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
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 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is located on the southern coast of the island. The city itself is relatively flat and lies near sea level. However, to the north and northwest are mountainous regions with elevations reaching over 2,000 meters in some parts.
The topography around Santo Domingo is varied with coastal plains giving way to rolling hills and then mountains as you move inland. The city itself is a bustling urban area with limited space for large scale solar PV installations.
However, nearby areas particularly towards the east and southeast of Santo Domingo where there are vast plains could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. These areas receive abundant sunlight throughout the year which can be harnessed for solar power generation.
Also worth considering are some coastal areas where land might not be as fertile or suitable for agriculture but could host solar panels instead.
It's important to note that while topography plays a role in determining suitability for solar PV installations (flat or gently sloping terrains being ideal), other factors like local climate conditions (solar irradiation levels), land use regulations, proximity to power grids or load centers should also be taken into consideration when planning such projects.
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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 21st 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.
