The location of Grand Marigot, Guadeloupe, situated at latitude 16.0826 and longitude -61.7704, 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 variations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panel performance in Grand Marigot demonstrates relatively consistent output across all seasons, with some variations: Spring emerges as the most productive season, generating an impressive 6.93 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely with 6.61 kWh/day, while autumn sees a slight decrease to 6.14 kWh/day. Winter, although the least productive season, still maintains a respectable output of 5.61 kWh/day. These figures indicate that Grand Marigot is well-suited for year-round solar energy production, with spring and summer being particularly favorable periods.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Grand Marigot, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 15 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated taking into account the location's latitude, daily solar elevation angles, and potential daily PV output throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Grand Marigot's tropical climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Tropical storms and hurricanes: The Caribbean region, including Guadeloupe, is prone to these weather events, which could potentially damage solar installations. 2. High humidity and salt air: Being close to the ocean, the location may experience corrosive effects on solar equipment. To mitigate these risks, several preventative measures can be taken: - Use hurricane-resistant mounting systems and high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials for all components. - Implement a regular maintenance schedule to clean panels and check for any salt or humidity-related degradation. - Install lightning protection systems and ensure proper grounding of the solar array. - Consider using micro-inverters or power optimizers, which can help maintain some power output even if part of the system is damaged. By addressing these environmental factors during the installation and maintenance phases, solar energy systems in Grand Marigot can be optimized for long-term performance and reliability, taking full advantage of the location's excellent solar potential.

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

Link: Solar PV potential in Guadeloupe by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Grand Marigot

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 16.0826, Longitude: -61.7704 (Grand Marigot, Guadeloupe), 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 15° South in Grand Marigot, Guadeloupe

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Grand Marigot, Guadeloupe (Lat/Long 16.0826, -61.7704) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 15° 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 Grand Marigot, Guadeloupe

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 Grand Marigot, Guadeloupe. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 15° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
0° in Summer	22° South in Autumn	32° South in Winter	10° 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 Grand Marigot, Guadeloupe

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 Grand Marigot, Guadeloupe.

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 Grand Marigot, Guadeloupe

The area around Grand Marigot in Guadeloupe is characterized by a diverse and varied topography. Located on the western coast of Basse-Terre, one of the two main islands that make up Guadeloupe, Grand Marigot sits in a region known for its lush, tropical landscape.

The immediate coastal area is relatively flat, with sandy beaches and small coastal plains. As you move inland, the terrain quickly becomes more rugged and mountainous. The landscape rises steadily from the coast, transitioning into rolling hills and eventually into the steep slopes of the island's central mountain range. This mountainous spine, dominated by the active volcano La Soufrière, runs north to south through Basse-Terre.

The area is characterized by numerous rivers and streams that flow from the mountains to the sea, carving valleys and creating a network of small watersheds. Dense tropical rainforest covers much of the higher elevations, while the lower slopes and coastal areas feature a mix of cultivated land, smaller forests, and settlements.

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the coastal plains and lower slopes offer the most promise. These areas generally have more consistent exposure to sunlight and less forest cover, making them ideal for solar energy production. The flatter terrain also makes construction and maintenance easier and more cost-effective.

Specifically, areas to the north and south of Grand Marigot along the coast, where there are larger stretches of relatively flat land, could be suitable. These locations would likely have good sun exposure and easier access for infrastructure development. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, as Guadeloupe is known for its rich biodiversity and sensitive ecosystems.

The higher mountain slopes and densely forested areas would be less suitable for solar PV installations due to their steeper terrain, inconsistent sun exposure due to cloud cover, and the ecological importance of preserving these natural habitats. Additionally, the risk of volcanic activity and seismic events in the mountainous regions makes these areas less ideal for large infrastructure projects.

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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.