Solar PV Analysis of Georgetown, Guyana
Georgetown, Guyana is a pretty good spot for year-round solar energy production. This location gets consistent sunlight throughout most of the year because it's in the Tropics. The amount of electricity you can get from every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power changes with the seasons: you'd get about 5.23 kWh/day in Summer, 5.38 kWh/day in Autumn, 4.62 kWh/day in Winter and 4.68 kWh/day in Spring.
The best times to generate solar at this location would be during Summer and Autumn when daily output is highest per kW of installed solar power.
If you're setting up fixed panels here, tilting them at an angle facing 6 degrees South will help maximize total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
There might be some local factors that could affect how much energy your panels produce though. For example, Georgetown experiences both wet and dry seasons which could impact solar production - heavy rainfall or cloud cover during wet seasons may reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels.
To overcome these potential issues when installing your system:
1) Consider using high-quality PV modules that perform well under cloudy conditions.
2) Regularly clean and maintain your panels to ensure they are free from dust or debris that could further block sunlight.
3) If possible, install a tracking system that allows your panels to move with the sun for maximum exposure – especially useful during shorter daylight hours or cloudy days.
4) Ensure there are no physical obstructions like trees or buildings shading your panel installation area especially during peak sun hours.
Overall though, Georgetown is still an excellent choice for generating renewable energy via Solar PV systems thanks to its tropical climate and consistent sunshine throughout most part of the year!
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Georgetown
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 6.801, Longitude: -58.1704 (Georgetown, Guyana), 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 6° South in Georgetown, Guyana
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Georgetown, Guyana (Lat/Long 6.801, -58.1704) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 6° 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 Georgetown, Guyana
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 Georgetown, Guyana. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 6° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9° North in Summer | 12° South in Autumn | 22° South in Winter | 1° 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 Georgetown, Guyana
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 Georgetown, Guyana.
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 Georgetown, Guyana
Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, is located on the country's Atlantic coast. The topography of Georgetown and its surrounding areas is predominantly flat with a few small hills. It is largely characterized by coastal plains, marshy swamps, and low-lying lands which are just about 1 meter above sea level. This area also includes many rivers and creeks.
The city is situated below the high-tide level, so it relies on a system of canals, dikes, and kokers (sluices) for drainage. The soil in this region primarily consists of heavy clay.
Considering these geographical features for large-scale solar PV installations:
1. Flat Areas: Given that solar panels perform best when they face the sun directly at a perpendicular angle, flat terrains like those around Georgetown would be well-suited to install large-scale ground-mounted solar PV systems.
2. High Solar Irradiance: Guyana has a tropical climate with an average annual sunlight hours of approximately 2000 – 2500 hours making it suitable for solar power generation.
3. Proximity to Load Centers: Installing solar farms near load centers or substations could reduce transmission losses and costs associated with grid connection.
However, several challenges need to be addressed:
1. Flooding Risk: Due to its low elevation and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Georgetown faces significant flooding risks that could affect solar installations.
2. Drainage System Interference: Large scale installation should not interfere with existing drainage systems crucial for flood management in this area.
3. Soil Type: Heavy clay soils may require specific foundation design considerations for mounting structures due to their characteristics such as high compressibility and low shear strength.
Thus while planning for largescale Solar PV projects in this region comprehensive site assessments including geotechnical investigations would be required alongside environmental impact assessments given its unique landscape setting.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 26th of May 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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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