Solar PV Analysis of Guatemala City, Guatemala
Guatemala City, located in the tropics of Guatemala, is a great place for generating solar energy all year round. This is because it gets consistent sunlight throughout most of the year. The energy generated from solar panels can vary slightly with each season but overall, it's quite steady. In Summer you can expect around 6.14 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. In Autumn and Winter, this drops slightly to around 5.80 kWh/day and 5.88 kWh/day respectively but then rises again in Spring to about 6.36 kWh/day.
The best time to generate solar power at this location would be during the Summer and Spring when the output is highest but even during Autumn and Winter, the output remains quite good.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 14 degrees towards South will give you maximum production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system throughout the year.
However, there could be certain local factors that might affect your ability to produce solar power here such as environmental conditions or topography issues like hills or tall buildings blocking sunlight reaching your panels.
The weather could also impact production especially during wet seasons when there may be more cloud cover reducing sunlight exposure on your panels or heavy rainfalls potentially damaging them.
To ensure greater energy production despite these challenges;
1.) Choose a site for installation that has minimal obstructions blocking direct sunlight.
2.) Install durable PV systems that can withstand heavy rainfall.
3.) Regularly maintain and clean your PV systems to keep them working efficiently even in less than ideal weather conditions.
4.) You might want to consider using adjustable tilt mounts so you can adjust panel angles depending on seasonal variations in sun position.
So while there are potential challenges associated with installing a PV system in Guatemala City due to its tropical climate and possible topographical restrictions, with the right planning and maintenance, it can be a very suitable location for solar energy production.
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 5 locations across Guatemala. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Guatemala by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Guatemala City
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 14.6419, Longitude: -90.5133 (Guatemala City, Guatemala), 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 14° South in Guatemala City, Guatemala
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Guatemala City, Guatemala (Lat/Long 14.6419, -90.5133) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 14° 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 Guatemala City, Guatemala
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 Guatemala City, Guatemala. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 14° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1° North in Summer | 20° South in Autumn | 30° South in Winter | 9° 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 Guatemala City, Guatemala
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 Guatemala City, Guatemala.
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 Guatemala City, Guatemala
Guatemala City is located in a mountainous region of Guatemala known as the Central Highlands, with an elevation of about 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) above sea level. The city is surrounded by numerous hills and mountains. The area also includes valleys and plateaus.
The topography of the area can create challenges for large-scale solar PV installations due to the uneven terrain and potential shading issues from surrounding mountains. However, there are still opportunities for solar energy in this region.
Flatter areas such as plateaus and valleys would be more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. Locations at higher elevations could also be considered as they often receive more sunlight due to being above cloud cover. However, these locations may come with increased costs associated with installation on steep or rugged terrain.
Furthermore, considering that Guatemala has a tropical climate with ample sunlight throughout the year, regions outside the city that have less hilly topography might be even more ideal for large scale solar PV projects.
It's important to note that site selection would also need to consider factors like accessibility (for installation and maintenance), proximity to transmission lines or demand centers (to minimize transmission losses/costs), land availability and use restrictions among other things.
Detailed site-specific feasibility studies including Solar Resource Assessment will provide better insights into potential locations within or near Guatemala City for setting up a large-scale Solar PV plant.
Guatemala solar PV Stats as a country
Guatemala ranks 87th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 101 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Guatemala is generating 6 Watts from solar PV per capita (Guatemala ranks 77th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Guatemala?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Guatemala. The Guatemalan government offers a number of tax credits and other financial incentives to encourage businesses to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include a 30% income tax credit for investments in renewable energy projects, an exemption from import taxes on equipment used for renewable energy projects, and a 10-year property tax exemption on the value of the solar system installed. Additionally, the government has established net metering regulations that allow businesses to sell excess electricity generated by their solar systems back into the grid at market rates.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Guatemala? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 27th 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.
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Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
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