Solar PV Analysis of Toamasina, Madagascar
Toamasina, Madagascar is a pretty good spot for generating solar energy throughout the year. This is because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is fairly consistent for most of the year. The seasons here are typically divided into wet and dry periods rather than the traditional four seasons we experience in many other parts of the world.
If you installed 1 kilowatt (kW) of solar panels at this location, you could expect to generate about 7.27 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each day during summer, 5.08 kWh/day in autumn, 4.27 kWh/day in winter and 6.61 kWh/day during spring.
The best time to generate solar power at this location would be during summer when daily output is highest. However, even during winter - which has the lowest daily output - your panels would still produce a significant amount of energy compared to many non-tropical locations.
For maximum yearly production from your solar panels at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle facing 15 degrees North.
As far as potential obstacles to producing solar power here go; being a tropical region means that Toamasina experiences heavy rainfall especially during wet seasons which could reduce sunlight exposure on some days and hence lower energy production from your panels on those days.
However, there are ways around these challenges: One solution could be installing more efficient or larger capacity panels so that even with less sunshine hours due to rain or cloud cover, you can still meet your energy needs effectively.
Another option might involve using adjustable mounting systems that allow for changing panel angles depending on season or weather conditions maximizing their exposure to sun rays whenever possible.
It's also worth noting that regular cleaning and maintenance will help keep your panels working efficiently by removing any debris or dirt build-up caused by local environmental factors like dust storms or bird droppings etc., ensuring greater overall energy production over time.
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 Madagascar. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Madagascar by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Toamasina
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -18.1462, Longitude: 49.3969 (Toamasina, Madagascar), 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° North in Toamasina, Madagascar
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Toamasina, Madagascar (Lat/Long -18.1462, 49.3969) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 15° North 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 Toamasina, Madagascar
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 Toamasina, Madagascar. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 15° North 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 | 24° North in Autumn | 34° North in Winter | 12° North 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 Toamasina, Madagascar
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 Toamasina, Madagascar.
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 Toamasina, Madagascar
Toamasina, also known as Tamatave, is located on the east coast of Madagascar. The topography in and around Toamasina is relatively flat with some gently rolling hills. It's a coastal city with beaches and port facilities, surrounded by lush vegetation due to its tropical rainforest climate.
The region has a mix of land uses including residential areas, commercial infrastructure, agricultural lands (particularly rice paddies), and forests. However, it should be noted that the eastern part of Madagascar including Toamasina receives substantial rainfall throughout the year which might affect solar PV performance.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are typically preferred to minimize installation costs and maximize exposure to sunlight. In this regard:
1) Agricultural lands: If dual-use agriculture-solar PV systems (agrivoltaics) can be implemented without significantly affecting crop yields or local food security, these could be potential sites for large-scale solar PV.
2) Areas close to existing power infrastructure: This would reduce costs related to power transmission/distribution from the solar farm to end users or into the grid.
3) Unused/underused land: Any such available spaces within or near Toamasina could potentially house large scale solar installations if they are not ecologically sensitive zones or do not interfere with other land use priorities.
However, it’s essential that any plans for large-scale solar PV undergo thorough feasibility studies considering various factors like climatic conditions (rainfall pattern & intensity), land ownership issues etc., before implementation.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 22nd of April 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.
