Solar PV Analysis of Queretaro, Mexico
Queretaro, Chiapas, Mexico is a good location for year-round solar energy production. The area gets consistent sunlight most of the year and has relatively stable seasonal changes, mostly characterized by wet and dry periods.
In terms of energy output, you can expect to generate around 5.89 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in the summer for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. In autumn, this drops slightly to about 5.60 kWh/day per kW; in winter it's around 5.78 kWh/day per kW; and in spring it increases to approximately 6.28 kWh/day per kW.
The best time of year for generating solar power at this location would be in the spring when daily energy output is highest due to longer daylight hours.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 15 degrees towards the South will yield maximum total year-round production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
However, there are some local factors that could potentially impede solar production here:
1) Rainy Season: Queretaro has a rainy season which typically runs from May through September where heavy rainfall can reduce sunlight exposure on panels.
Preventative Measure: Regular cleaning and maintenance should be scheduled after heavy rainfalls to remove any debris or dirt that could block sunlight absorption.
2) Dust Storms: Dust storms can cover panels with dust or sand which reduces their efficiency.
Preventative Measure: Again regular cleaning is key here - dust off your panels after any major dust storm event.
3) Hilly Terrain: If located near hilly terrain or mountains they may cast shadows over panels during certain times of day/year reducing their effectiveness.
Preventative Measure: Choose an installation site carefully avoiding areas prone to shadowing if possible.
4) High Temperatures/Heatwaves: Solar PV systems can actually become less efficient if temperatures are too high.
Preventative Measure: Ensure panels are installed with enough space for air to circulate around them, helping to keep them cool.
In conclusion, while Queretaro does have some challenges for solar energy production, they can be mitigated with proper maintenance and installation practices. Overall it's a good location for a solar PV system.
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 Queretaro
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 15.834, Longitude: -92.7557 (Queretaro, 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 15° South in Queretaro, Mexico
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Queretaro, Mexico (Lat/Long 15.834, -92.7557) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 15° 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 Queretaro, 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 Queretaro, Mexico. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 15° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0° in Summer | 22° South in Autumn | 31° South in Winter | 10° 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 Queretaro, 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 Queretaro, 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 Queretaro, Mexico
The provided coordinates (Lat, Long: 15.834, -92.7557) do not correspond to Queretaro, Mexico but to a location in the state of Chiapas near the border with Guatemala.
Assuming you meant Queretaro, Mexico (Lat,Long: 20.5888,-100.3899), it is located in the central part of Mexico on a plateau known as the Mexican Plateau or Mexican Altiplano. The area is characterized by semi-arid conditions with relatively flat terrain interspersed with hills and low mountains.
Queretaro's topography and climate make it potentially suitable for large-scale solar PV installations as it receives ample sunlight throughout the year due to its location near the Tropic of Cancer.
Potential areas for large-scale solar PV could be:
1) Flat plains around Queretaro city where land may be available.
2) Areas towards San Juan del Rio which have less urban development.
3) Semi-arid regions in northern parts of Queretaro state which receive high amounts of sunlight.
However, factors such as land availability and cost, proximity to power grids and transmission lines, local regulations about renewable energy projects etc., should also be considered when choosing locations for large-scale solar PV installations.
Please consult local experts or perform detailed feasibility studies before embarking on any such project.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 11th of March 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
