Ciudad Arce, La Libertad Department, El Salvador, situated at latitude 13.8407° N and longitude 89.4412° W, offers consistently good conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from relatively stable sunlight patterns across seasons, which are primarily distinguished by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature variations.

Seasonal Solar Production

The solar energy potential in Ciudad Arce shows favorable output across all meteorological seasons. Spring stands out as the most productive period with an average daily yield of 7.20 kWh per installed kilowatt of solar capacity. Summer follows with 6.76 kWh/day, while winter and autumn produce slightly less at 6.40 kWh/day and 6.37 kWh/day respectively.

This relatively small variation between seasons (approximately 13% difference between the highest and lowest producing seasons) highlights the location's advantage for year-round solar energy generation. The consistency makes Ciudad Arce an attractive site for solar PV installations, as it provides dependable energy output throughout the calendar year.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Ciudad Arce, La Libertad Department, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 13 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture across the changing solar elevations throughout the year, accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit and the site's tropical latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Despite the favorable solar conditions, several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Ciudad Arce:

• The region's pronounced wet season (typically May through October) can bring extended periods of cloud cover and heavy rainfall, temporarily reducing solar output.
• El Salvador experiences occasional volcanic activity that can release ash into the atmosphere, potentially reducing solar irradiance.
• The tropical climate promotes rapid vegetation growth that could cast shadows on panels if not regularly maintained.
• The region is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms during certain months, which can damage installations if not properly secured.

Preventative Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several preventative measures are recommended:

• Install robust mounting systems designed to withstand tropical storm winds common to the region.
• Implement regular cleaning schedules, especially during the dry season when dust accumulation is highest.
• Consider micro-inverter or power optimizer technology to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.
• Establish a vegetation management plan to prevent shading from rapidly growing tropical plants.
• Include a slight increase in system capacity to compensate for reduced output during the wet season.

With these considerations addressed, Ciudad Arce represents a highly viable location for solar PV installations, offering consistent energy production throughout the year with relatively minor seasonal variations.

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 6 locations across El Salvador. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in El Salvador by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Ciudad Arce

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 13.8407, Longitude: -89.4412 (Ciudad Arce, El Salvador), 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 13° South in Ciudad Arce, El Salvador

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ciudad Arce, El Salvador (Lat/Long 13.8407, -89.4412) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 13° 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 Ciudad Arce, El Salvador

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 Ciudad Arce, El Salvador. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 13° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
2° North in Summer	20° South in Autumn	29° South in Winter	8° 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 Ciudad Arce, El Salvador

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 Ciudad Arce, El Salvador.

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 Ciudad Arce, El Salvador

The topography around Ciudad Arce, El Salvador presents a diverse landscape characterized by volcanic features, rolling hills, and river valleys. Located in the central-western part of El Salvador, Ciudad Arce sits in La Libertad Department, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of the capital San Salvador. The terrain in this region is significantly influenced by the country's position along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Landscape Features

Ciudad Arce is situated in a transitional zone between the coastal plains and the central highlands of El Salvador. The area has an average elevation of approximately 520 meters above sea level. To the north and northeast, the landscape gradually rises toward the Salvadoran highlands, with several volcanic formations visible on the horizon. The San Salvador Volcano (also known as Quezaltepec) dominates the eastern skyline, while other volcanic structures punctuate the surrounding landscape. The southern portion of the Ciudad Arce region slopes gently toward the coastal plains that eventually reach the Pacific Ocean. This gradual descent creates a varied topography with numerous small valleys and ridges. The Rio Sucio (Sucio River) flows through the area, carving valleys and creating alluvial plains that contrast with the surrounding elevated terrain.

Solar PV Potential Areas

Several areas near Ciudad Arce offer favorable conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The gently sloping plains to the south and southwest of Ciudad Arce present particularly promising locations. These areas benefit from minimal shadowing effects due to their distance from the taller volcanic formations to the north and east. The terrain between Ciudad Arce and nearby Opico features relatively flat expanses with good solar exposure. These locations combine favorable topography with proximity to existing infrastructure, including roads and transmission lines, making them logistically advantageous for solar development. The elevated plateaus northwest of Ciudad Arce, extending toward Sacacoyo, also merit consideration. While slightly more undulating than the southern plains, these areas still offer substantial flat sections suitable for solar array deployment. The higher elevation may provide clearer atmospheric conditions, potentially enhancing solar radiation reception.

Topographical Challenges

Not all areas around Ciudad Arce are equally suitable for solar development. The more rugged terrain to the northeast, approaching the volcanic highlands, presents installation challenges due to steeper slopes and irregular surfaces. These areas would require significant land modification, increasing both environmental impact and construction costs. The river valleys, particularly along the Rio Sucio, feature fertile agricultural land that may be better preserved for food production rather than converted to energy generation. Additionally, these lower-lying areas can experience seasonal flooding, presenting risks to infrastructure. Some sections of the region contain dense vegetation, especially on north-facing slopes and in ravines. These areas would require substantial clearing, raising both environmental concerns and development costs compared to the more open plains and plateaus described earlier. The most promising solar development zones combine gentle slopes (ideally between 0-5% gradient), southern or western exposures, minimal vegetation coverage, and proximity to existing infrastructure. Based on these criteria, the transitional plains south of Ciudad Arce toward the coastal region represent the optimal balance of favorable topography and practical development considerations.

El Salvador solar PV Stats as a country

El Salvador ranks 50th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 478 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year El Salvador is generating 74 Watts from solar PV per capita (El Salvador ranks 44th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in El Salvador?

Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in El Salvador. The government of El Salvador has implemented a number of policies and programs to promote 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 Renewable Energy Fund which provides grants and loans to support renewable energy projects.

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