Bacarra, Ilocos, Philippines, located at 18.2466° N, 120.6122° E, presents a favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this location benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences wet and dry seasons rather than traditional four-season cycles.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panel efficiency in Bacarra varies across meteorological seasons:

• Spring: 7.20 kWh/day
• Summer: 5.90 kWh/day
• Autumn: 5.52 kWh/day
• Winter: 4.71 kWh/day

These figures represent the expected daily electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar capacity.

Optimal Generation Periods

Spring emerges as the most productive season for solar energy in Bacarra, Ilocos, with an impressive output of 7.20 kWh/day. Summer and autumn maintain strong performance, while winter sees a slight dip but still delivers a respectable 4.71 kWh/day. This consistent year-round production makes Bacarra an excellent location for solar PV installations.

Panel Tilt Optimization

For fixed panel installations in Bacarra, Ilocos, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 16 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes exposure to the sun's rays throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and Bacarra's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Bacarra's tropical climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors to consider: 1. Typhoons: The Philippines is prone to tropical cyclones, which can potentially damage solar installations. To mitigate this risk, robust mounting systems and high-quality, weather-resistant panels should be used. 2. Heavy rainfall: During the wet season, frequent rain may temporarily reduce solar output. Installing panels at the optimal angle helps with water runoff and ensures quicker drying after rain events. 3. High humidity: The tropical climate's humidity can potentially lead to moisture buildup on panels. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help prevent any efficiency losses due to this factor.

By addressing these environmental factors through proper installation techniques and regular maintenance, solar PV systems in Bacarra can maintain high efficiency and durability, making the most of the location's excellent solar potential.

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 257 locations across Philippines. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Philippines by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Bacarra

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 18.2466, Longitude: 120.6122 (Bacarra, Philippines), 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 16° South in Bacarra, Philippines

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bacarra, Philippines (Lat/Long 18.2466, 120.6122) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 16° 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 Bacarra, Philippines

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 Bacarra, Philippines. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 16° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
2° South in Summer	24° South in Autumn	33° South in Winter	11° 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 Bacarra, Philippines

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 Bacarra, Philippines.

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 Bacarra, Philippines

The topography around Bacarra, Philippines, is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from coastal plains to gently rolling hills as one moves inland. Situated in the northwestern part of Luzon Island, Bacarra is nestled in the province of Ilocos Norte, known for its picturesque scenery and agricultural lands. Near the coast, the terrain is predominantly flat, with sandy beaches and fertile lowlands that have long been used for farming. These coastal plains stretch for several kilometers inland before gradually giving way to more elevated areas. As one moves eastward from Bacarra, the landscape becomes increasingly undulating, with low hills and shallow valleys creating a patchwork of agricultural fields and small forested areas. The nearby Cordillera Central mountain range, though not immediately adjacent to Bacarra, influences the region's topography. Its foothills begin to appear further inland, creating a more pronounced elevation change and introducing steeper slopes and deeper valleys to the landscape. Rivers and streams originating from these mountains flow through the area, carving gentle valleys and depositing fertile alluvial soil in the lowlands.

Potential Areas for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Bacarra, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would likely be found in the flat or gently sloping terrain of the coastal plains and low-lying areas surrounding the town. These regions offer several advantages for solar PV development: Firstly, the relatively level ground reduces the need for extensive land preparation, making construction and maintenance easier and more cost-effective. The open nature of these areas also minimizes shading from natural features or structures, allowing for optimal sun exposure throughout the day. Secondly, the proximity to existing infrastructure, such as roads and power transmission lines, makes these lowland areas attractive for solar development. This accessibility can significantly reduce the costs associated with connecting the solar farm to the grid and transporting equipment and personnel. The agricultural lands that dominate much of the landscape around Bacarra could potentially be repurposed for solar PV installations. However, careful consideration would need to be given to the balance between energy production and food security, as these fertile lands are important for the local economy and food supply. Areas slightly further inland, where the terrain begins to undulate, might also be suitable for solar PV development. These locations could offer a good compromise between land that is not prime agricultural real estate and terrain that is still manageable for large-scale installations. The gentle slopes in these areas could even be advantageous, as they can be oriented to maximize solar exposure. It's important to note that while the topography around Bacarra offers promising locations for solar PV development, other factors such as local climate conditions, environmental impact assessments, and community considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the most suitable sites for large-scale solar projects in the region.

Philippines solar PV Stats as a country

Philippines ranks 40th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,370 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Philippines is generating 13 Watts from solar PV per capita (Philippines ranks 71st in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Philippines?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the Philippines. These include:

1. The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) program, which provides a guaranteed rate of return on investments in renewable energy projects;

2. Tax credits and exemptions from certain taxes;

3. Net metering programs that allow businesses to sell excess electricity back to the grid;

4. Grants and loans from government agencies such as the Department of Energy and the Philippine Solar Power Alliance;

5. Technical assistance from organizations like USAID’s Clean Energy Program; and

6. Access to financing through banks, venture capital firms, or other sources of private capital.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Philippines? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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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

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