Solar Energy Potential in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico

Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico, located at 19.1185°N, -104.2171°W, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This coastal city in the tropics benefits from relatively consistent sunlight patterns, with its seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than dramatic temperature shifts. The solar energy production potential in Manzanillo shows strong year-round performance with some seasonal variation. Spring stands out as the most productive season, delivering an impressive 8.23 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer follows with a solid 6.16 kWh/day, while winter produces a respectable 5.89 kWh/day. Autumn shows the lowest output at 5.49 kWh/day per kilowatt installed, though this still represents good generation potential. For anyone considering a fixed solar panel installation in Manzanillo, Colima, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 18 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture across the changing seasons, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and Manzanillo's tropical latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could affect solar production in Manzanillo that potential installers should consider. The region experiences a distinct rainy season (typically June through October), which can temporarily reduce solar output due to cloud cover. During these months, system sizing may need to account for these predictable reductions in generation. Coastal salt spray presents another challenge for solar installations in Manzanillo. The proximity to the ocean means salt can accumulate on panel surfaces, potentially reducing efficiency and accelerating corrosion of mounting hardware. To mitigate this:

• Use marine-grade stainless steel mounting hardware and components
• Select solar panels with specialized anti-corrosive frames and salt-resistant coatings
• Implement regular cleaning schedules during dry periods
• Consider slightly more frequent maintenance inspections than would be needed in non-coastal areas

Tropical storms and hurricanes can occasionally affect the region, particularly between June and November. While severe events are relatively infrequent, installing panels with high wind ratings (able to withstand at least 2,400 Pascals of pressure) and using reinforced mounting systems can provide protection against these weather events. Despite these considerations, Manzanillo's strong solar production potential, particularly during the spring months, makes it an excellent candidate for solar PV installations when proper precautions are taken.

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 Manzanillo

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 19.1185, Longitude: -104.2171 (Manzanillo, 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 18° South in Manzanillo, Mexico

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Manzanillo, Mexico (Lat/Long 19.1185, -104.2171) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 18° 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 Manzanillo, 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 Manzanillo, Mexico. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 18° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
3° South in Summer	25° South in Autumn	34° 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 Manzanillo, 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 Manzanillo, 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 Manzanillo, Mexico

Manzanillo, located on Mexico's Pacific coast in the state of Colima, features a diverse and dramatic topography that transitions from coastal plains to mountainous terrain. The immediate coastal area consists of sandy beaches and low-lying plains that quickly give way to foothills and more rugged terrain moving inland. The Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range dominates the landscape east and north of Manzanillo, creating significant elevation changes within relatively short distances from the coast. The region is characterized by numerous valleys, ridges, and plateaus that form a complex topographical mosaic. Several rivers cut through these formations, including the Marabasco River, which defines part of the border between the states of Colima and Jalisco. These waterways have carved valleys that provide some flatter terrain amidst the predominantly hilly landscape.

Coastal Features

The coastline around Manzanillo includes several bays and inlets, with the most prominent being Manzanillo Bay and Santiago Bay. These coastal features are flanked by hills that sometimes extend directly to the shoreline, creating dramatic coastal bluffs in some areas. The immediate coastal zone typically remains relatively flat for only a short distance before beginning to rise into the foothills.

Inland Topography

Moving inland from Manzanillo, the terrain becomes increasingly rugged. The transition from coastal plain to mountainous areas happens quite rapidly, with elevations rising to over 500 meters within just 10-15 kilometers of the coast. Further inland, peaks in the Sierra Madre del Sur can exceed 2,000 meters, creating a substantial topographical gradient across the region. The area also features some volcanic features, with the Colima Volcanic Complex located approximately 100 kilometers northeast of Manzanillo. While not immediately adjacent to the city, this volcanic activity has influenced the broader regional topography and soil composition.

Solar PV Suitability

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the most suitable areas near Manzanillo would be the relatively flat coastal plains and lower elevation plateaus. These areas offer several advantages for solar development: The coastal plains extending north and northwest from Manzanillo toward Cihuatlán provide relatively flat terrain that would minimize site preparation costs. These areas benefit from minimal shading from mountains and good solar exposure throughout the day. Several inland valleys and plateaus at moderate elevations (200-500 meters) also present promising locations for solar development. These areas, found primarily northeast of Manzanillo, offer flat or gently sloping terrain while potentially benefiting from clearer air conditions at slightly higher elevations. The agricultural plains around Tecomán, approximately 45 kilometers southeast of Manzanillo, feature extensive flat areas that could accommodate large solar arrays with minimal topographical challenges. This region already has reasonably developed infrastructure, which would facilitate construction and grid connection. Areas to avoid include the steeper mountainous regions, where installation would be challenging and expensive, and narrow valleys that might experience significant shading during parts of the day. Additionally, locations very close to the coast should be carefully evaluated due to potential concerns about salt spray affecting equipment and the higher risk of extreme weather events. The combination of favorable topography, existing infrastructure, and land availability makes the broader Manzanillo region promising for solar PV development, particularly in the identified flatter areas that balance accessibility with optimal solar exposure conditions.

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!

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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.