Solar PV Analysis of Male, Maldives
Male, Maldives is a great location for generating solar energy all year-round because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power varies slightly by season, but not significantly. In summer, you can expect to generate about 6.03 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kW of installed solar power. This increases slightly in autumn to around 6.15 kWh/day, and then again in winter to approximately 6.35 kWh/day, with the highest production occurring in spring at around 6.43 kWh/day.
The best time of year to generate solar at this location would be during spring when daily output reaches its peak; however, since seasonal variations are minor due to consistent sunlight exposure throughout the year, any time would be good for generating energy via solar Photovoltaic (PV).
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 4 degrees towards South will maximise total annual production from your PV system.
As far as environmental or local factors that could potentially impede solar production go - one possible concern might be high rainfall during wet seasons as it could reduce sunlight exposure temporarily on very cloudy or rainy days; however this should not significantly affect overall yearly output given that Male has plenty sunny days too.
To ensure greater energy production despite these potential challenges - regular maintenance and cleaning measures should be taken to keep panels free from dust or debris accumulation which may also hinder optimal sunlight absorption if left unchecked over time.
In conclusion: Male offers a highly favourable environment for harnessing solar energy effectively throughout the entire year with only minor seasonal fluctuations and manageable local challenges such as occasional heavy rainfalls during wet seasons.
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 2 locations across Maldives. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Maldives by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Male
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 4.1772, Longitude: 73.5107 (Male, Maldives), 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 4° South in Male, Maldives
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Male, Maldives (Lat/Long 4.1772, 73.5107) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 4° 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 Male, Maldives
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 Male, Maldives. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 4° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12° North in Summer | 10° South in Autumn | 20° South in Winter | 2° 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 Male, Maldives
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 Male, Maldives.
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 Male, Maldives
Male, the capital city of Maldives, is located on a low-lying island with an average elevation of just over 1 meter above sea level. The topography is mostly flat and lacks any significant hills or mountains. It's surrounded by the Indian Ocean and numerous coral reefs.
The lack of elevation and large open spaces in Male makes it challenging for large-scale solar PV installations within the city itself. However, there are several potential areas nearby that could be suitable:
1) Rooftop Installations: Given the dense urban environment in Male, one option would be rooftop solar installations on buildings throughout the city.
2) Floating Solar Farms: Another possibility given Male's location in the middle of Indian Ocean would be floating solar farms. These can be installed on bodies of water such as lagoons surrounding many islands in Maldives.
3) Nearby Islands: Other uninhabited islands or those with less population density around Male could potentially host larger scale ground-mounted solar systems if land use regulations allow for this type of development.
4) Solar Canopies Over Public Spaces/Structures: Large public spaces like parking lots, parks etc., can also have canopy-style solar installations which not only generate power but also provide shade.
5) Offshore Platforms: Like floating solar farms, offshore platforms built specifically to hold PV panels may also offer another feasible solution given enough investment into infrastructure and weather-proofing measures against ocean storms or high winds.
It’s important to note that any renewable energy project must consider local environmental impacts as well as social acceptance by local communities. Also considering Maldives' susceptibility to rising sea levels due to climate change, sustainable planning should always take precedence.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 24th 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.
