Solar PV Analysis of Vacoas, Mauritius
Vacoas, Plaines Wilhems District, Mauritius is a good location for generating solar energy all year round because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies with each season:
- In summer, you can expect to generate about 7.76 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day.
- In autumn, this decreases to about 5.47 kWh/day.
- Winter sees the lowest output at around 4.67 kWh/day.
- Spring production increases again to approximately 7.18 kWh/day.
This means that while there are fluctuations throughout the year, even in winter when production is lowest, you're still able to generate a significant amount of power due to the consistent sunlight.
The best times of year for solar generation at this location are during summer and spring when daily output is highest.
When installing solar panels at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 18 degrees facing north. This position maximises exposure to sunlight and therefore optimises overall yearly energy production.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could affect solar production here - being in a tropical region like Mauritius means dealing with wet and dry seasons rather than traditional four-season cycles observed in other parts of the world. During wet seasons there may be more cloud cover which could reduce solar panel efficiency by blocking sunlight.
Also worth noting are potential issues related to cyclones or storms which may cause damage or temporary reduction in productivity due to increased cloud cover and rainfall. To mitigate these risks:
1) Use durable mounting equipment designed for high wind loads,
2) Regularly clean and maintain your panels especially after heavy rains,
3) Consider investing in battery storage systems so excess power generated during peak periods can be stored for use during less productive times or outages caused by severe weather conditions.
In summary, while there might be seasonal fluctuations and potential weather-related challenges, Vacoas, Plaines Wilhems District, Mauritius is still a very suitable location for year-round solar energy production.
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 Vacoas
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -20.3028, Longitude: 57.4758 (Vacoas, 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 Vacoas, Mauritius
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Vacoas, Mauritius (Lat/Long -20.3028, 57.4758) 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 Vacoas, 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 Vacoas, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Vacoas, 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 Vacoas, 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 Vacoas, Mauritius
Vacoas, Mauritius is situated on a plateau in the central part of the island. The topography around Vacoas is relatively flat with some gently rolling hills. The city lies at an elevation of approximately 400 meters above sea level.
The area's climate is tropical and it receives a good amount of sunlight throughout the year, making it suitable for solar PV installations. However, due to its high population density and developed infrastructure, there might be limited space available for large-scale solar farms within Vacoas itself.
Nearby regions that could potentially be more suited for large-scale solar PV installations include:
1. Midlands: Located to the east of Vacoas, Midlands has less dense development and more open spaces which could potentially accommodate large-scale solar installations.
2. Plaine Magnien: This region towards the southeast coast has relatively flat terrain and lower population density compared to Vacoas.
3. Large agricultural lands in central Mauritius: These areas have open fields that receive ample sunlight which are ideal conditions for a solar farm.
It's important to note that any potential site would need detailed assessment considering various factors such as land ownership, impact on local ecosystems and biodiversity, proximity to power grids or load centers etc., before proceeding with installation.
Also remember that rooftop solar panels can also be an effective way of generating renewable energy in urban areas like Vacoas without requiring additional land resources.
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 2nd of July 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.
