Chalco, México, Mexico, situated at latitude 19.2502 and longitude -98.8965, presents a favorable location for solar energy production throughout the year. This tropical setting benefits from consistent sunlight, with seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature fluctuations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Chalco remains relatively stable across seasons, with a notable peak during spring. Here's a breakdown of the expected daily electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar capacity:

• Spring: 7.25 kWh/day
• Summer: 5.86 kWh/day
• Autumn: 5.60 kWh/day
• Winter: 5.86 kWh/day

Spring emerges as the most productive season, likely due to clearer skies and optimal sun angles. The consistency in output during summer and winter is noteworthy, while autumn experiences a slight dip but still maintains strong performance.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Chalco, México, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 19 degrees facing south. This angle takes into account the location's latitude and the sun's position throughout the year, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight across seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Chalco's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few factors to consider:

The region experiences a rainy season, typically from June to October. During this period, cloud cover may slightly reduce solar output. To mitigate this, installing high-efficiency panels that perform well in diffuse light conditions can help maintain productivity.

Dust and air pollution from nearby Mexico City could potentially accumulate on solar panels, reducing their efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the panels can prevent this issue. Additionally, installing panels at a slight angle (as recommended) helps with natural cleaning during rainfall.

Overall, Chalco presents an excellent location for year-round solar energy production, with minor challenges that can be effectively addressed through proper installation and maintenance practices.

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 Chalco

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 19.2502, Longitude: -98.8965 (Chalco, 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 Chalco, Mexico

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Chalco, Mexico (Lat/Long 19.2502, -98.8965) 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 Chalco, 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 Chalco, 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
4° South in Summer	25° South in Autumn	35° South in Winter	13° 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 Chalco, 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 Chalco, 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 Chalco, Mexico

The topography around Chalco, Mexico, is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes both flat plains and mountainous terrain. Chalco itself is situated in a valley, surrounded by higher elevations on multiple sides. To the east and southeast, the terrain gradually rises towards the impressive Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl volcanoes, which dominate the skyline with their snow-capped peaks. These volcanic mountains are part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, a major geological feature that runs across central Mexico. To the west and northwest of Chalco, the land is relatively flat, forming part of the Valley of Mexico. This area was once covered by a large lake system, which has since been largely drained, leaving behind fertile agricultural land. The flat terrain in this direction extends towards Mexico City, which is located about 35 kilometers to the northwest.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Chalco that would be most suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the flat regions to the west and northwest present the most promising opportunities. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy development: Firstly, the relatively level terrain in this direction would minimize the need for extensive land preparation, reducing construction costs and environmental impact. Flat land also allows for more efficient arrangement of solar panels, maximizing energy capture throughout the day. Secondly, these areas receive ample sunlight due to their open exposure, unobstructed by the mountainous terrain found to the east. The lack of significant geographical features that could cast shadows ensures consistent solar radiation throughout the year. Lastly, the proximity to Mexico City and other urban centers in the Valley of Mexico provides an advantage in terms of infrastructure. The existing road network and electrical grid in this region would facilitate the transportation of materials during construction and the distribution of generated electricity to areas of high demand. It's important to note that while these areas show promise for solar PV development, any large-scale project would require detailed environmental and social impact assessments. Considerations such as land use, agricultural value, and local community needs would need to be carefully evaluated before proceeding with any solar energy installations.

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.