Solar PV Analysis of Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico is a pretty good location for generating solar energy all year round due to its location in the tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar varies slightly with the seasons but stays within a fairly high range: 6.45kWh/day in Summer, 5.73kWh/day in Autumn, 5.65kWh/day in Winter and peaking at 7.99kWh/day in Spring.
The best time to generate solar energy would be during Spring when daily output reaches nearly 8 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar power capacity. However, even during winter which has the lowest output, you can still expect over five and half kilowatts hours per day from each installed kilowatt - this is still quite efficient.
If you're installing fixed panels here, tilting them at an angle of about 19 degrees towards South will give you maximum production across the year.
However, there could be certain local factors that might affect your ability to harness solar energy effectively at this location:
1) Tropical Storms/Hurricanes: Nuevo Vallarta does experience tropical storms and hurricanes which could potentially damage your panels or reduce their efficiency due to cloud cover or debris.
Prevention Measures: Using sturdy mounting systems that can withstand high winds could help protect against storm damage. Regular maintenance checks post-storm are also recommended to ensure optimal functioning.
2) High Humidity/Rainfall: Being a tropical region it experiences high humidity and rainfall especially during wet season which may reduce sunlight exposure.
Prevention Measures: Ensuring regular cleaning of panels will prevent accumulation of water droplets or dirt that might hinder sunlight absorption.
3) Heat Degradation: Solar panels can lose some efficiency if they get too hot.
Prevention Measures: Installing cooling mechanisms or choosing panels designed to tolerate higher temperatures may help mitigate this issue.
Overall, while there are some potential challenges, with the right installation and maintenance strategies, Nuevo Vallarta can be an ideal location for year-round solar energy production.
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 Nuevo Vallarta
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 20.7015, Longitude: -105.2952 (Nuevo Vallarta, 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 Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico (Lat/Long 20.7015, -105.2952) 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 Nuevo Vallarta, 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 Nuevo Vallarta, 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 Nuevo Vallarta, 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 Nuevo Vallarta, 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 Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
Nuevo Vallarta is located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, in the state of Nayarit. The topography is relatively flat with some low-lying hills, and it's characterized by coastal plains. The area has a tropical climate with plenty of sunshine throughout the year.
Given these conditions, large-scale solar PV installations could be ideally suited for this region. Flat or gently sloping areas would be most suitable to install solar panels as they allow maximum exposure to sunlight and easy installation.
The surrounding rural or semi-rural areas away from dense urban development would likely offer the best opportunities for large-scale solar PV due to availability of land. Areas towards northeast or southeast from Nuevo Vallarta like San Vicente or Valle de Banderas might also be suitable considering their relative flatness and less dense population.
However, any decision should consider factors such as local regulations, connectivity to grid infrastructure, potential environmental impacts and community attitudes towards renewable energy projects. Detailed site assessments would need to be carried out before deciding on a specific location.
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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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 15th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
