Solar PV Analysis of Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City, Mexico (latitude 19.4326, longitude -99.1332) is an excellent location for solar power generation due to its consistent sunlight throughout the year and its proximity to the tropics. In this region, you can expect an average daily energy production of 5.68 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity during summer, 5.51 kWh in autumn, 5.94 kWh in winter, and a notably higher output of 7.21 kWh in spring due to increased daylight hours.
To optimize efficiency at this location, it is recommended to install solar panels with a tilt angle of 19 degrees facing southward. While extreme weather events such as heavy rain or hail storms may temporarily impact system performance, they are not frequent enough to pose significant concerns when considering the installation of a solar PV system in Mexico City.
Overall, Mexico City's favorable climate conditions make it well-suited for generating solar power year-round with minimal disruptions from local factors or extreme weather events.
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 152 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 Mexico City
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 19.4326, Longitude: -99.1332 (Mexico City, 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 Mexico City, Mexico
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mexico City, Mexico (Lat/Long 19.4326, -99.1332) 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 Mexico City, 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 Mexico City, 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 | 26° 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 Mexico City, 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 Mexico City, Mexico.
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 Mexico City, Mexico
The topography around Mexico City, Mexico is generally flat with some rolling hills and mountain ranges to the east and west. Areas near Mexico City that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV are those that receive a lot of direct sunlight, such as open plains or areas with little shade from trees or buildings. The flat terrain in the area also makes it easier to install large arrays of photovoltaic panels. Additionally, areas near the city that have good access to existing infrastructure (roads, power lines) would be ideal for larger projects.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 4th of August 2022
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
