Le Morne, Black River District, Mauritius, located at latitude -20.441 and longitude 57.3267, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight, with seasonal variations primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature fluctuations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at Le Morne varies across the meteorological seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, with an impressive 7.81 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 7.20 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 5.44 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 4.62 kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

Based on these figures, the ideal times for solar energy production in Le Morne are during the summer and spring months. These seasons offer extended daylight hours and typically clearer skies, allowing for maximum solar panel efficiency. However, it's worth noting that even during the less productive autumn and winter seasons, the output remains relatively high compared to many non-tropical locations.

Panel Installation Considerations

For those installing fixed solar panels in Le Morne, Black River District, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 18 degrees facing North. This angle has been calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the specific latitude of the location.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Le Morne generally provides favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few 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. Salt spray: Given the coastal location, salt spray from the ocean can accumulate on solar panels, potentially reducing their efficiency over time. To mitigate these factors, the following preventative measures can be taken:

• Use cyclone-resistant mounting systems and high-quality, durable panels designed to withstand strong winds.
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove salt deposits from the panels.
• Consider installing a monitoring system to quickly detect any drops in performance due to environmental factors.

By taking these precautions, solar installations in Le Morne can maximize their energy production potential and take full advantage of the location's favorable solar conditions 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 Le Morne

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -20.441, Longitude: 57.3267 (Le Morne, 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 18° North in Le Morne, Mauritius

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Le Morne, Mauritius (Lat/Long -20.441, 57.3267) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 18° 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 Le Morne, 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 Le Morne, Mauritius. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 18° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
5° North in Summer	26° North in Autumn	36° North in Winter	14° 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 Le Morne, 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 Le Morne, 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 Le Morne, Mauritius

Le Morne, located in the southwestern part of Mauritius, is characterized by a diverse and striking topography that sets it apart from other areas of the island. The most prominent feature of the landscape is Le Morne Brabant, a majestic basaltic monolith that rises dramatically from the surrounding coastal plain. This UNESCO World Heritage site stands at an impressive height of 556 meters (1,824 feet) above sea level, dominating the skyline and offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The coastline around Le Morne is adorned with pristine white sandy beaches that gently slope into the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. These beaches are fringed by coral reefs, creating a shallow lagoon that extends for several hundred meters offshore. The calm waters of the lagoon contrast with the more turbulent open ocean beyond the reef. Inland from the coast, the terrain gradually rises towards the central plateau of Mauritius. This transition zone features a mix of gently rolling hills, small valleys, and flat areas interspersed with pockets of native vegetation and agricultural land. The soil in this region is generally fertile, owing to its volcanic origin.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Le Morne, several factors come into play. The ideal areas would be relatively flat, receive ample sunlight throughout the year, and have minimal environmental impact. One promising area for solar PV development lies to the east and northeast of Le Morne Brabant. This region features expansive, gently sloping terrain that transitions from the coastal plain to the central plateau. The land here is less steep than the immediate surroundings of Le Morne Brabant, making it more suitable for the installation of solar panels. Another potential location for solar farms could be found in the agricultural areas further inland. Some of these lands, particularly those that are less productive or have been set aside from cultivation, could be repurposed for solar energy production. These areas benefit from good sun exposure and are generally flat or have only slight undulations. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to be carefully planned to minimize impact on the local ecosystem and consider the cultural significance of the area, particularly given Le Morne's status as a World Heritage site. Environmental impact assessments and community consultations would be crucial steps in identifying the most appropriate locations for 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.