Albion, Black River District, Mauritius, located at latitude -20.2117 and longitude 57.4008, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location experiences consistent sunlight, with seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature variations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy potential in Albion varies across the meteorological seasons. Summer sees the highest output at 7.76 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely with 7.18 kWh/day. Autumn and winter show lower but still substantial production at 5.47 kWh/day and 4.67 kWh/day, respectively. These figures indicate that Albion maintains good solar energy potential year-round, with peak performance during the summer months (December to February) and spring (September to November). The relatively high output in spring suggests that this could be an ideal time for solar energy generation, combining increasing daylight hours with typically clearer skies.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed solar panel installations in Albion, Black River District, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 17 degrees facing North. This angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture across all seasons, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Albion's tropical climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Tropical cyclones: Mauritius can experience cyclones, typically between November and April. These storms can potentially damage solar installations if not properly secured. 2. High humidity: The tropical climate means high humidity levels, which can lead to accelerated degradation of solar equipment if not adequately protected. To mitigate these risks, solar installations in Albion should incorporate: - Robust mounting systems designed to withstand high winds - Corrosion-resistant materials for all components - Regular maintenance to prevent humidity-related issues - Protective coatings on panels and electrical components By implementing these measures, solar installations in Albion can capitalize on the location's excellent solar potential while minimizing the impact of environmental challenges. Overall, Albion presents a highly favorable setting for year-round solar energy production, with only minor considerations needed to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the system.

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 41 locations across Mauritius. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Mauritius by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Albion

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -20.2117, Longitude: 57.4008 (Albion, Mauritius), 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 17° North in Albion, Mauritius

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Albion, Mauritius (Lat/Long -20.2117, 57.4008) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 17° 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 Albion, Mauritius

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 Albion, Mauritius. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 17° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
4° North in Summer	26° North in Autumn	36° North in Winter	13° 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 Albion, Mauritius

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 Albion, Mauritius.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Albion, Mauritius

The area around Albion, Mauritius, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography. Located on the western coast of the island, Albion sits at the edge of a coastal plain that gradually rises towards the interior. The terrain in this region is generally flat to gently rolling, with some low hills and small valleys interspersed throughout the landscape.

As you move inland from Albion, the elevation gradually increases, leading to more pronounced hills and eventually to the central plateau of Mauritius. This central area features higher elevations and more rugged terrain, including some extinct volcanic features that form the island's distinctive mountain ranges.

The coastline near Albion is marked by beautiful beaches and rocky outcrops, with coral reefs lying just offshore. The area also includes some small rivers and streams that flow from the higher elevations towards the sea, creating minor valleys and drainage patterns in the landscape.

Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited for such projects would likely be found in the flatter regions inland from Albion. The coastal plain and gently rolling hills that extend eastward from the town offer promising locations for solar farms. These areas typically receive ample sunlight and have relatively even terrain, which is ideal for the installation and maintenance of solar panels.

The central plateau region, while at a higher elevation, could also be suitable for solar PV projects. This area often experiences less coastal influence and may have more consistent sunlight exposure. However, care would need to be taken to select sites that are not too steep or environmentally sensitive.

It's important to note that any large-scale solar project would need to balance energy production potential with environmental and land-use considerations. Mauritius is a small island with limited land resources, so careful planning would be necessary to ensure that solar installations do not negatively impact agriculture, tourism, or important ecosystems.

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.