Solar PV Analysis of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Port Moresby, National Capital, Papua New Guinea is located in the tropics, which means it gets a lot of sunlight throughout the year. This makes it a pretty good place for generating solar energy all year round.
The amount of electricity you can expect to get from each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed changes with the seasons. In summer, you can expect about 5.92 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day, in autumn it's about 5.52 kWh/day, in winter it's around 4.98 kWh/day and in spring you could get as much as 6.31 kWh/day.
If we compare these numbers to other places around the world, they are quite high which means Port Moresby is a great location for solar energy production.
To get the most out of your solar panels over the course of an entire year at this location, you should tilt them at an angle of 9 degrees facing north.
However, there might be some local factors that could reduce how much energy your solar panels produce here - like weather conditions or physical features of the landscape.
For example, Port Moresby has a tropical wet and dry climate which means there may be periods during the rainy season when cloud cover could reduce your solar panel output; also if there are hills or trees blocking sunlight from reaching your panels that could also limit their effectiveness.
When installing your panels take into account these potential issues by choosing a location that is not obstructed by trees or hills and where they will not be shaded for significant parts of the day; consider using tracking systems to keep them pointed directly at sun especially during less sunny periods; ensure robust weatherproofing due to heavy rains common in tropical climates; regular cleaning and maintenance would also help maximize their output because dust and bird droppings can block sunlight too.
In summary: despite some challenges related to weather conditions and topography, with thoughtful installation and maintenance, Port Moresby is a very good location for generating solar energy year-round.
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 9 locations across Papua New Guinea. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Papua New Guinea by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Port Moresby
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -9.4666, Longitude: 147.1464 (Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea), 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 9° North in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (Lat/Long -9.4666, 147.1464) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 9° North 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 Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
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 Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 9° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7° South in Summer | 16° North in Autumn | 25° North in Winter | 3° North 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 Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
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 Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
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 Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, is located on the southeastern coast of the island. The topography around Port Moresby includes coastal lowlands and hills. To its north are mountains with peaks reaching over 4,000 meters high. The city itself is built on hilly terrain overlooking the Coral Sea.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are typically best suited to accommodate such facilities. Given this requirement, areas in the coastal lowlands around Port Moresby may be most suitable for large-scale solar PV projects.
However, it's important to note that a comprehensive feasibility study needs to be conducted before deciding on a location for such projects. This study should take into account various factors including land availability and use (including environmental considerations), sun exposure and intensity (solar irradiance), proximity to grid connections or demand centers, potential impacts from extreme weather events like cyclones or flooding etc.
Please note that while Papua New Guinea has significant solar potential due to its location near the equator with relatively consistent daylight hours throughout the year; it also experiences high levels of cloud cover which could impact solar energy generation efficiency. Therefore these aspects need careful consideration while planning for large scale Solar PV installations in this region.
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 14th 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
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.
