Santa Elena, Santa Ana Department, El Salvador, located at 14.1538, -89.4839, offers a promising 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 fluctuations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at Santa Elena remains relatively stable across all seasons, with slight variations: Spring sees the highest production at 6.56 kWh/day per kW installed, closely followed by Summer at 6.50 kWh/day. Autumn and Winter show slightly lower but still substantial outputs at 5.85 kWh/day and 5.82 kWh/day, respectively. This consistency is advantageous for year-round energy production, with Spring and Summer being particularly favorable. The minimal fluctuation between seasons indicates that solar PV systems in Santa Elena can maintain steady performance throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations in Santa Elena, Santa Ana Department, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 13 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the location's latitude and the Earth's orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Santa Elena's tropical climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors to consider: 1. Rainfall: The wet season, typically from May to October, may lead to increased cloud cover, potentially reducing solar output. However, the impact is usually minimal due to the diffuse light still available. 2. Dust and debris: During the dry season, dust accumulation on panels can slightly decrease efficiency. To mitigate these factors, consider implementing: - Regular panel cleaning schedules, especially during the dry season - Slightly steeper panel angles to promote self-cleaning during rainfall - High-quality, weather-resistant solar equipment designed for tropical climates Overall, Santa Elena presents an ideal location for solar PV installations, with consistent year-round production and manageable environmental factors. The stable solar output across seasons makes it an excellent choice for reliable renewable energy generation.

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 Santa Elena

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 14.1538, Longitude: -89.4839 (Santa Elena, 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 Santa Elena, El Salvador

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Santa Elena, El Salvador (Lat/Long 14.1538, -89.4839) 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 Santa Elena, 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 Santa Elena, 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 Santa Elena, 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 Santa Elena, 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 Santa Elena, El Salvador

The area around Santa Elena, El Salvador, is characterized by diverse and rugged topography typical of Central America. This region is part of the mountainous terrain that runs through much of El Salvador, with a mix of hills, valleys, and some flatter areas.

Santa Elena itself is situated in a hilly area, with elevations varying significantly within short distances. The landscape is marked by steep slopes and ridges, interspersed with small valleys and ravines. The nearby mountains contribute to this varied terrain, creating a patchwork of different elevations and gradients.

To the south and east of Santa Elena, the land generally becomes more mountainous, with higher peaks and deeper valleys. These areas are part of the broader mountain ranges that dominate much of El Salvador's interior. In contrast, to the north and west, the terrain tends to become slightly less rugged, with some areas of gentler slopes and broader valleys.

For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas would likely be found in the relatively flatter regions to the north and west of Santa Elena. These areas, while still hilly, offer more expansive spaces with gentler slopes that could accommodate solar panel arrays. Ideal locations would be south-facing slopes or plateaus that receive abundant sunlight throughout the day.

However, it's important to note that even in these more suitable areas, significant earthwork and terrain modification might be necessary to create sufficiently large and level surfaces for solar farms. The rugged nature of the region means that truly flat, extensive areas are limited.

Additionally, areas closer to existing infrastructure, such as roads and power lines, would be preferable for solar PV development. This might include locations near larger towns or along major transportation corridors, where the terrain is often slightly more developed and accessible.

Overall, while the topography around Santa Elena presents challenges for large-scale solar PV installations, careful site selection focusing on the less mountainous areas to the north and west, combined with appropriate engineering solutions, could yield viable locations for solar energy development.

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.