Apaseo el Grande, Mexico represents a very good location for year-round solar energy generation, with consistently strong solar output throughout all seasons. Located in the tropical region where sunlight remains relatively stable year-round, this area benefits from the characteristic wet and dry seasonal patterns rather than the dramatic light variations seen in temperate climates.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production at this location shows excellent consistency, with daily output ranging from 5.79 kWh per installed kilowatt in autumn to an impressive 8.00 kWh per kilowatt during spring. Spring emerges as the peak solar generation season, likely due to optimal sun angles and clear atmospheric conditions before the wet season begins. Winter production remains robust at 5.99 kWh per kilowatt daily, while summer generates 6.38 kWh per kilowatt. This relatively modest summer output compared to spring may reflect increased cloud cover and atmospheric moisture during the warmer months.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production, solar panels at this location should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 19 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual solar capture by accounting for the sun's varying elevation throughout the year and weighting for actual solar irradiance potential.

Environmental Factors and Mitigation Strategies

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production at Apaseo el Grande:

• Seasonal rainfall and humidity: The tropical wet season can reduce solar output through increased cloud cover and atmospheric moisture
• Dust accumulation: Mexico's dry season and agricultural activities in the region can lead to dust buildup on panels
• High temperatures: Excessive heat can reduce panel efficiency despite abundant sunlight

To maximize energy production, several preventative measures should be implemented:

• Regular cleaning schedule: Establish monthly panel cleaning during dry seasons and bi-weekly during dusty periods
• Proper ventilation: Install panels with adequate air circulation underneath to prevent overheating
• Quality mounting systems: Use corrosion-resistant materials suitable for humid tropical conditions
• Drainage considerations: Ensure proper water runoff during heavy rainfall periods

Overall Assessment

Despite these manageable challenges, Apaseo el Grande offers excellent conditions for solar energy generation. The consistent year-round production levels, with even the lowest season producing nearly 6 kWh per kilowatt daily, make this location highly suitable for both residential and commercial solar installations. The peak spring production period provides an opportunity for maximum energy harvest when atmospheric conditions are most favorable.

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

Link: Solar PV potential in Mexico by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Apaseo El Grande

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 20.556, Longitude: -100.5361 (Apaseo El Grande, Mexico), 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 19° South in Apaseo El Grande, Mexico

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Apaseo El Grande, Mexico (Lat/Long 20.556, -100.5361) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 19° South 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 Apaseo El Grande, Mexico

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 Apaseo El Grande, Mexico. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 19° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
5° South in Summer	27° South in Autumn	36° South in Winter	14° South 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 Apaseo El Grande, Mexico

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 Apaseo El Grande, Mexico.

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 Apaseo El Grande, Mexico

Topographical Features of Apaseo el Grande

Apaseo el Grande sits in the heart of central Mexico's Bajío region, positioned on the relatively flat expanse of the Mesa Central plateau. This area represents one of Mexico's most agriculturally productive regions, characterized by gently rolling terrain that rarely exceeds moderate slopes. The municipality lies at an elevation of approximately 1,800 meters above sea level, providing it with a temperate highland climate despite its tropical latitude. The landscape around Apaseo el Grande is dominated by broad, open plains interspersed with low hills and gentle undulations. These plains extend for considerable distances in all directions, creating an environment that feels remarkably spacious compared to Mexico's more mountainous regions. The terrain slopes very gradually toward the southeast, following the natural drainage patterns that eventually feed into the Lerma River system. To the north and northeast, the land maintains its characteristic flatness, broken only by occasional low ridges and isolated hills that rise modestly above the surrounding countryside. The western approaches feature similar topography, with the terrain remaining consistently level and open. Southward, the landscape continues its gentle character, though it begins to show slightly more variation as it approaches the transition zones leading toward higher elevations.

Drainage and Surface Features

The region's drainage system consists primarily of seasonal streams and arroyos that remain dry for much of the year. These waterways have carved shallow channels across the landscape, but they rarely create significant topographical barriers. The overall drainage pattern flows toward the Lerma River, which passes to the south of the municipality. Agricultural development has significantly modified the natural landscape over centuries of cultivation. Large fields dominate the visual character of the area, with property boundaries often marked by low stone walls or fence lines rather than natural topographical features. This extensive agricultural use has created a patchwork of cultivated land that extends across the gently rolling terrain.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The topographical characteristics around Apaseo el Grande present excellent opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The most suitable areas lie on the extensive flat to gently sloping plains that surround the municipality on all sides. These areas offer the ideal combination of minimal grading requirements, excellent accessibility, and sufficient space for utility-scale solar farms. The plains extending northward from Apaseo el Grande represent particularly attractive sites for solar development. This area features consistent, gentle slopes that would require minimal earthwork for solar panel installation while providing natural drainage for stormwater management. The terrain's uniformity would allow for efficient panel layout and maintenance access roads. Western areas also present strong potential, with broad expanses of relatively level ground that could accommodate large solar arrays. The gradual topography in this direction would facilitate construction logistics and ongoing operational access. These western plains benefit from good transportation connections to existing infrastructure. The southeastern areas, while slightly more varied in their topography, still offer substantial opportunities for solar development. The gentle slopes in this direction could actually provide advantages for panel orientation and drainage, while the terrain remains sufficiently level to avoid major construction challenges. Areas immediately adjacent to existing agricultural operations might present the most practical development opportunities, as they often feature established road access and utility connections. The transition from agricultural use to solar development would be relatively straightforward given the similar land preparation requirements and the compatible nature of both land uses with the local topography.

Mexico solar PV Stats as a country

Mexico ranks 18th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 7,040 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 3.20% of Mexico's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 28th in the world). Each year Mexico is generating 55 Watts from solar PV per capita (Mexico ranks 50th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Mexico?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Mexico. The Mexican government offers a range of financial incentives and tax breaks for businesses that invest in renewable energy projects. These include grants, loans, and subsidies for the purchase of equipment and installation costs. Additionally, businesses can benefit from net metering programs which allow them to sell excess electricity back to the grid at a premium rate. Finally, businesses may also be eligible for additional benefits such as reduced import duties on solar equipment or accelerated depreciation allowances on investments in renewable energy projects.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Mexico? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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.