Solar PV Analysis of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico is a very good place to generate solar energy throughout the year because it gets plenty of sunlight. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar panels varies by season: in the summer, you can expect about 6.45 kilowatt-hours per day; in autumn, about 5.73; in winter, about 5.65; and in spring, a high of 7.99.
The best time to generate solar energy here is during spring when sunlight is most abundant but all seasons provide productive conditions for solar power generation due to consistent sunlight throughout the year.
When installing your panels at this location, it's best to tilt them at an angle facing 19 degrees South for maximum production all year round.
However, there may be some local factors that could affect how much energy you can produce with your panels. For instance:
1) Weather: Puerto Vallarta has a wet and dry season which could impact production levels especially during the wet season when cloud cover might reduce sun exposure.
2) Topography: If there are hills or other structures blocking direct sunlight onto your panels this could reduce their efficiency.
3) Environmental Factors: Dust or other airborne particles could settle on the surface of your panels reducing their efficiency as well.
To mitigate these potential issues:
a) Regular maintenance and cleaning of your solar PV system will ensure they work efficiently even during periods with less optimal conditions like dust storms or cloudy days during rainy seasons.
b) Proper site assessment before installation should take into account any potential obstructions caused by topography ensuring maximum sun exposure.
c) Lastly investing in high-quality equipment like weather-resistant solar PV systems can help withstand harsh weather conditions ensuring consistent power generation even during suboptimal weather conditions.
In summary Puerto Vallarta offers great potential for generating substantial amounts of electricity using Solar PV systems provided one takes into account local environmental and topographical factors and mitigates against them effectively.
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 Puerto Vallarta
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 20.6707, Longitude: -105.216 (Puerto 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 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (Lat/Long 20.6707, -105.216) 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 Puerto 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 Puerto 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 Puerto 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 Puerto 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 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta is located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, in the state of Jalisco. The topography around Puerto Vallarta is diverse, featuring a coastline with beautiful beaches and a backdrop of lush mountains. The city itself lies in the middle of Banderas Bay, one of the largest bays in Mexico.
The region has a tropical climate with more than 300 days of sunshine per year. This makes it an ideal location for solar PV installations. However, due to its mountainous terrain and dense vegetation, large-scale solar PV projects may be challenging to implement directly within Puerto Vallarta.
Areas that could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations would likely be flat open spaces or plateaus away from densely forested areas or steep slopes. In terms of specific nearby locations:
1) The Ameca Valley: Located to the northeast of Puerto Vallarta, this area has flatter terrain compared to other surrounding regions which could potentially accommodate large scale solar PV systems.
2) Coastal Plains: Areas along the coastline but outside urban centers could also provide suitable locations given their relatively flat topography and proximity to transmission infrastructure.
3) Nayarit State: To the north lies Nayarit State which is known for its agricultural land use and less rugged terrain compared to Jalisco's coastal region where Puerto Vallarta is situated.
It should be noted that any potential site would require thorough assessment considering factors such as local regulations, environmental impact considerations (like biodiversity), access to transmission lines or grid connectivity, land ownership status among others before installing a large scale solar PV system.
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: Tuesday 12th of March 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
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