Progreso, Yucatán, Mexico, situated at latitude 21.1968 and longitude -89.6632, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical coastal town experiences consistent sunlight, with seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods than temperature variations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Progreso demonstrate varying levels of efficiency across the meteorological seasons: Spring sees the highest energy output, with an impressive 7.03 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely behind at 6.97 kWh/day. Autumn experiences a slight dip to 5.62 kWh/day, while winter shows the lowest output at 4.85 kWh/day per kW installed. These figures indicate that Progreso maintains strong solar potential year-round, with spring and summer being particularly favorable for energy generation. Even during the less productive winter months, the output remains relatively high compared to many other global locations.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed solar panel installations in Progreso, Yucatán, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 19 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and Progreso's specific geographical location.

Environmental Considerations

While Progreso offers excellent conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Coastal salt spray: Being a seaside town, salt in the air can potentially corrode solar equipment over time. 2. Hurricane risk: The region is susceptible to tropical storms and hurricanes, which could damage solar installations. To mitigate these risks, it's advisable to use corrosion-resistant materials for all solar components and ensure robust mounting systems capable of withstanding high winds. Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels can also help combat salt buildup and maintain optimal efficiency. Despite these considerations, Progreso's consistently high solar potential makes it an excellent location for solar PV installations, with the potential for substantial energy generation throughout the year.

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 Progreso

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 21.1968, Longitude: -89.6632 (Progreso, 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 Progreso, Mexico

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Progreso, Mexico (Lat/Long 21.1968, -89.6632) 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 Progreso, 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 Progreso, 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	37° South in Winter	15° 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 Progreso, 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 Progreso, 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 Progreso, Mexico

The area surrounding Progreso, Mexico, located at latitude 21.1968 and longitude -89.6632, is characterized by a predominantly flat and low-lying coastal landscape. This region, situated on the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, features a gentle topography with minimal elevation changes. The terrain is primarily composed of sandy beaches, coastal lagoons, and mangrove swamps along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline. As you move inland from Progreso, the landscape gradually transitions to a flat, limestone plain typical of the Yucatan Peninsula. This area is known for its karstic topography, which includes numerous sinkholes (cenotes) and underground rivers. However, there are no significant hills or mountains in the immediate vicinity of Progreso, with the terrain remaining relatively level for many kilometers inland.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Progreso, the inland areas to the south and southeast of the city offer the most promising potential. These regions provide several advantages for solar energy development: Firstly, the flat terrain of the Yucatan Peninsula provides ample space for expansive solar arrays without the need for extensive land preparation or grading. This topography allows for efficient layout and installation of solar panels, maximizing energy capture. Secondly, moving away from the coast reduces the risk of damage from tropical storms and hurricanes, which can be a concern in coastal areas. The inland locations offer more protection for valuable solar infrastructure. Thirdly, the areas south and southeast of Progreso experience high levels of solar radiation throughout the year, thanks to the region's tropical climate and proximity to the equator. This consistent sunlight exposure is ideal for solar energy production. Lastly, these inland areas are generally less developed and have lower population densities compared to the coastal zone. This means there is likely to be more available land for large-scale solar projects without conflicting with urban development or sensitive coastal ecosystems. 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 to ensure minimal disruption to local communities and ecosystems, particularly given the unique karstic geology of the region.

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.