Solar PV Analysis of Centre De Flacq, Mauritius
The location at Centre de Flacq, Mauritius is generally good for generating solar energy throughout the year due to its tropical climate. This means that sunlight is consistent for most of the year and seasons are often characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than large temperature swings.
In terms of electricity output per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power, you can expect to generate 7.76 kWh/day in Summer, 5.47 kWh/day in Autumn, 4.67 kWh/day in Winter and 7.18 kWh/day in Spring. To put it simply, this means that during summer and spring you can generate a larger amount of power compared to autumn and winter because there's more sunlight available.
To get the most out of your solar installation at this location, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 17 degrees towards the North. This will help maximize total production from your solar panels all year round.
However, there might be some factors that could hinder solar production at this location. For one thing, Mauritius experiences cyclones which typically occur between November and April each year - these could potentially damage or disrupt a PV system if precautions aren't taken.
On top of that, high humidity levels might affect panel efficiency as well as lead to corrosion over time if not properly managed with appropriate materials or coatings on both panels and mounting systems.
To mitigate these issues when installing a PV system:
1) Ensure robust design & installation: Your system should be designed to withstand local wind speeds (including those from cyclones). Use sturdy mounting systems anchored securely.
2) Use durable materials: To combat potential corrosion caused by high humidity levels use weather-resistant materials for both panels & mounting hardware.
3) Regular Maintenance: Regular cleaning & inspections will ensure optimal performance while identifying any potential issues early on before they become major problems affecting energy output.
So overall while there may be challenges associated with the local environment and weather, these can be managed with careful planning and maintenance.
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 Centre De Flacq
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -20.1926, Longitude: 57.7114 (Centre De Flacq, 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 Centre De Flacq, Mauritius
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Centre De Flacq, Mauritius (Lat/Long -20.1926, 57.7114) 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 Centre De Flacq, 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 Centre De Flacq, 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 Centre De Flacq, 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 Centre De Flacq, Mauritius.
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 Centre De Flacq, Mauritius
Centre de Flacq is located on the eastern side of Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. The area's topography is relatively flat with slight hills and gentle slopes, which are typical features of coastal plains. The region is primarily residential and agricultural, with sugar cane fields being a common sight.
When considering areas for large-scale solar PV installations, it's important to consider factors such as sunlight exposure, land availability and suitability, proximity to grid connections and potential environmental impacts. Given these considerations:
1) Unused or less productive agricultural lands could be potential sites for large scale solar PV installations. These lands often have good sun exposure and are already somewhat altered environments which can help minimize ecological impact.
2) Large rooftops (such as those on commercial buildings or warehouses) in Centre de Flacq or nearby towns could also be suitable for smaller scale but collectively significant solar power generation.
3) Areas near existing infrastructure (like roads or power lines), where installation would be easier and cost-effective due to reduced need for additional infrastructure development.
However, any specific site would need a detailed assessment including local climate data analysis (to ensure sufficient sunlight), land condition evaluation (to ensure it can support the weight of panels), biodiversity assessment etc., before confirming its suitability.
Lastly, while Mauritius does get good amounts of sunshine being a tropical country; it also experiences cyclones which can potentially damage solar panels. Therefore proper protective measures should also be accounted for while planning large-scale solar PV installations.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 22nd 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.
