Fuentes del Pedregal, Mexico presents a highly favorable location for year-round solar energy generation. Located in the tropics at coordinates 19.3036, -99.227, this area benefits from consistent sunlight throughout most of the year, with seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than significant variations in solar availability.

Solar Energy Production Performance

The solar energy output at this location demonstrates excellent potential across all seasons. Spring emerges as the most productive period, generating 7.24 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Winter follows as the second-best season with 5.89 kWh/day per kW, while summer produces 5.73 kWh/day per kW, and autumn yields 5.49 kWh/day per kW. This seasonal pattern makes Fuentes del Pedregal particularly attractive for solar installations, as even the lowest-producing season (autumn) still delivers substantial energy output. The location's tropical position ensures reliable solar generation year-round, with spring offering peak performance when many temperate locations might still be emerging from less productive winter months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximum year-round energy production at Fuentes del Pedregal, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 19 degrees facing south. This optimal angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles at this latitude, determining daily optimal panel positioning, and weighting these angles according to photovoltaic potential using solar irradiance data while accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Despite the excellent solar potential, several local factors could impact solar energy production at this location and require careful consideration during installation. The tropical climate brings significant rainfall during wet seasons, which can reduce solar output through cloud cover and atmospheric moisture. Additionally, the high humidity levels common in tropical regions can accelerate corrosion of metal components and electrical connections in solar installations. Dust accumulation presents another challenge, particularly during dry seasons when reduced rainfall means less natural panel cleaning. The combination of dust buildup and occasional volcanic ash from nearby volcanic activity in central Mexico can create a film on solar panels that reduces their efficiency.

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

Several installation strategies can help maximize solar energy production despite these environmental challenges:

• Install panels with adequate spacing and ventilation to prevent moisture buildup and allow proper air circulation
• Use corrosion-resistant mounting hardware and electrical components specifically rated for high-humidity tropical environments
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule, particularly during dry seasons, to remove dust and debris accumulation
• Consider automated cleaning systems for larger installations to maintain optimal panel efficiency
• Install proper drainage systems to prevent water pooling around panel installations during heavy rains

Selecting high-quality panels with robust weatherproof sealing will help ensure long-term performance in this humid tropical climate. Additionally, positioning electrical components in weatherproof enclosures with proper ventilation will help prevent moisture-related failures and extend system lifespan. With proper installation techniques and regular maintenance, Fuentes del Pedregal offers excellent conditions for reliable, year-round solar energy generation, making it an ideal location for both residential and commercial solar projects.

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 Fuentes Del Pedregal

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 19.3036, Longitude: -99.227 (Fuentes Del Pedregal, 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 Fuentes Del Pedregal, Mexico

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fuentes Del Pedregal, Mexico (Lat/Long 19.3036, -99.227) 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 Fuentes Del Pedregal, 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 Fuentes Del Pedregal, 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 Fuentes Del Pedregal, 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 Fuentes Del Pedregal, 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 Fuentes Del Pedregal, Mexico

Topographical Features of Fuentes del Pedregal

Fuentes del Pedregal sits within the southern reaches of Mexico City, positioned on the elevated plateau known as the Valley of Mexico. This area represents part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, characterized by relatively flat to gently rolling terrain at an elevation of approximately 2,240 meters above sea level. The landscape here was historically shaped by ancient volcanic activity, particularly from the nearby Xitle volcano, which created extensive lava fields that gave the broader Pedregal region its distinctive rocky character. The immediate topography around Fuentes del Pedregal features moderate slopes and undulating terrain typical of volcanic piedmont areas. The ground consists largely of solidified lava rock formations covered by varying depths of soil and urban development. While the area has been extensively developed for residential and commercial use, the underlying geological structure remains relatively stable with gradual elevation changes rather than steep inclines.

Regional Terrain and Elevation Patterns

Moving outward from Fuentes del Pedregal, the terrain maintains its generally elevated character as part of the broader Mexico City metropolitan area. To the north and east, the land gradually descends toward the central portions of the Valley of Mexico, while to the south and west, elevations tend to increase toward the surrounding mountain ranges. The Sierra de las Cruces lies to the west, while the Ajusco mountain range extends to the southwest, creating a natural bowl-like configuration around the valley floor. The volcanic substrate throughout this region provides generally good drainage characteristics, though the extensive urbanization has significantly altered natural water flow patterns. The terrain features numerous small arroyos and drainage channels that historically carried seasonal runoff from the surrounding highlands toward the valley center.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the most suitable areas near Fuentes del Pedregal would be found in the less densely developed zones to the south and southwest. The municipalities of Tlalpan and Xochimilco contain extensive areas of relatively flat to gently sloping terrain that remain undeveloped or used for agriculture. These areas offer the necessary space for utility-scale solar farms while maintaining the favorable elevation and exposure characteristics of the Valley of Mexico plateau. The southern portions of Tlalpan, particularly areas closer to the Ajusco foothills, present excellent opportunities due to their combination of available land, stable terrain, and minimal urban interference. The gentle slopes in these areas can actually be advantageous for solar installations, as they can be oriented to optimize panel positioning without requiring extensive grading or earthwork. Areas to the southeast, including parts of Milpa Alta, also offer promising conditions for solar development. This region features extensive flat agricultural lands with good accessibility and fewer competing land uses. The terrain here is generally more level than areas closer to the mountain ranges, making construction and maintenance of large solar arrays more straightforward. The eastern portions of the valley, while flatter, tend to be more densely populated and developed, making large-scale solar projects less feasible due to land availability and cost considerations. However, smaller distributed solar installations could be viable throughout the urban areas, taking advantage of rooftops and other developed surfaces.

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.