Solar PV Analysis of Tegucigalpa, Honduras
The location at Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán Department, Honduras is quite suitable for generating solar energy throughout the year. This is because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is consistent most of the year. The seasons here are characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than significant changes in sunlight.
In terms of electricity output per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels, you can expect to generate an average of about 6.12 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day during summer, 5.57 kWh/day during autumn, 5.28 kWh/day during winter and 6.47 kWh/day during spring.
This means that spring and summer are ideal times for generating solar power at this location due to slightly higher daily outputs compared to autumn and winter.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 13 degrees towards the south would be ideal as it will maximize their exposure to sunlight throughout the year leading to greater energy production.
However, there could be environmental or weather factors that might affect solar production in Tegucigalpa such as heavy rainfall or cloud cover especially during wet seasons which could reduce sunlight reaching your panels hence reducing their efficiency.
To mitigate these potential issues when installing your solar system:
1) Ensure your panels are installed in a spot with minimal shading from trees or buildings.
2) Regular cleaning and maintenance can help keep them efficient even under less than ideal conditions.
3) Use high-quality equipment designed to withstand harsh weather conditions such as heavy rainstorms common in tropical climates.
4) Consider using tracking systems that adjust panel orientation based on sun position if budget allows - they can increase efficiency by keeping panels optimally angled towards sun all day long despite changing weather patterns.
So overall while there may be some challenges related to local weather patterns particularly during wet season, with proper planning and maintenance Tegucigalpa offers good potential for year-round solar 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 20 locations across Honduras. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Honduras by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Tegucigalpa
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 14.0828, Longitude: -87.2041 (Tegucigalpa, Honduras), 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 Tegucigalpa, Honduras
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tegucigalpa, Honduras (Lat/Long 14.0828, -87.2041) 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 Tegucigalpa, Honduras
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 Tegucigalpa, Honduras. 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 | 19° 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 Tegucigalpa, Honduras
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 Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
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 Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras, is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains. The terrain around Tegucigalpa is rugged and hilly with various elevations. The region also has several rivers and streams running through it.
Considering large-scale solar PV installations, flat land areas are generally more suitable as they require less groundwork preparation, making them cheaper to install and easier to maintain. However, given the hilly topography around Tegucigalpa, finding large expanses of flat land can be challenging.
Nevertheless, hill slopes that face towards the equator (south-facing in the Northern Hemisphere) could potentially be used for solar PV installations if they have good sun exposure throughout the day. Another factor to consider would be access to transmission lines or substations for connecting the generated power to the grid.
In terms of specific locations near Tegucigalpa for potential solar farm sites, a detailed site assessment would need to be carried out considering factors like local climate conditions (sunlight hours), land availability and use restrictions (environmental or cultural heritage considerations), proximity to electricity infrastructure etc.
It's important also not forget that Honduras experiences tropical weather with heavy rainfall during part of year which could affect efficiency of solar panels due its impact on sunlight availability and potential damage from storms or flooding.
Technological advancements have made it possible now for solar panels installation on water bodies known as 'floatovoltaics'. If there are any large reservoirs nearby this could also be considered given that it doesn't interfere with local ecosystem or other uses like fishing etc.
Lastly but importantly social acceptance by local communities is critical so any proposed project should involve consultation process with them right from planning stage.
Honduras solar PV Stats as a country
Honduras ranks 47th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 514 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 12.90% of Honduras's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 1st in the world). Each year Honduras is generating 53 Watts from solar PV per capita (Honduras ranks 52nd in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Honduras?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Honduras. The Honduran government 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 Honduras? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 17th of June 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.
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.
