Goodlands, Rivière du Rempart District, Mauritius, located at latitude -20.0464 and longitude 57.6495, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this area benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences wet and dry seasons rather than traditional four-season cycles.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy potential in Goodlands varies across the meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.76 kWh of electricity generated per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, yielding 7.18 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in output at 5.47 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 4.67 kWh/day.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

Based on these figures, the ideal times for solar energy production in Goodlands are during the summer and spring months. These seasons offer longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, maximizing the efficiency of solar panels. However, it's worth noting that even during the less productive autumn and winter periods, the output remains relatively high compared to many non-tropical locations.

Panel Tilt Angle for Maximum Efficiency

For fixed solar panel installations in Goodlands, Rivière du Rempart District, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 17 degrees facing North. This angle has been calculated taking into account the location's latitude, the Earth's elliptical orbit, and daily solar elevation angles, ensuring the panels capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Goodlands presents favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few factors to consider: 1. Tropical cyclones: Mauritius is susceptible to cyclones, which could potentially damage solar installations. 2. Heavy rainfall: The wet season may lead to reduced sunlight and increased cloud cover. To mitigate these risks, the following preventative measures can be taken:

• Use sturdy mounting systems designed to withstand high winds
• Install protective covers or retractable systems for extreme weather events
• Implement regular cleaning schedules to remove dust and debris, especially after storms
• Consider micro-inverter systems to minimize the impact of partial shading during cloudy periods

In conclusion, Goodlands, Rivière du Rempart District, Mauritius offers an excellent location for year-round solar energy production. With proper installation and maintenance practices, the challenges posed by local weather conditions can be effectively managed, allowing for optimal energy generation throughout the year.

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 Goodlands

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -20.0464, Longitude: 57.6495 (Goodlands, 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 Goodlands, Mauritius

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Goodlands, Mauritius (Lat/Long -20.0464, 57.6495) 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 Goodlands, 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 Goodlands, 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 Goodlands, 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 Goodlands, 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 Goodlands, Mauritius

The area around Goodlands, Mauritius, is characterized by a relatively flat to gently rolling landscape. This region is part of the northern coastal plain of Mauritius, which is generally low-lying and features a mix of agricultural land and small urban settlements. The terrain gradually rises as you move inland from the coast, but the elevation changes are generally mild in this part of the island.

The topography near Goodlands is primarily shaped by centuries of agricultural use, particularly sugar cane cultivation. As a result, much of the land has been cleared and leveled to some extent. There are scattered areas of small hills and shallow valleys, but these are not particularly pronounced. The coastline to the north of Goodlands features some sandy beaches and small bays, while inland, you'll find a patchwork of fields, small forested areas, and residential zones.

Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors make the region around Goodlands potentially favorable:

1. The relatively flat terrain in many areas would simplify construction and reduce the need for extensive land preparation.
2. The abundance of agricultural land, particularly former sugar cane fields, could potentially be repurposed for solar farms without significant environmental impact.
3. The region receives ample sunlight throughout the year, which is crucial for solar energy production.

Specific areas that might be particularly well-suited for large-scale solar PV installations include:

• Open fields to the south and southeast of Goodlands, where there are expansive agricultural areas with minimal obstruction.
• The slightly elevated areas to the southwest, which may offer good sun exposure and less risk of flooding.
• Former sugar cane plantations in the surrounding region that are no longer in active cultivation.

However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would require detailed site assessments, environmental impact studies, and consideration of local land use regulations. The proximity to residential areas and the potential impact on local agriculture would also need to be carefully evaluated before proceeding with such developments.

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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.