Solar PV Analysis of Santa Maria, Philippines
Santa Maria, Central Luzon, Philippines, located at latitude 14.7069 and longitude 120.93, is a prime location for solar energy generation due to its consistent sunlight all year round. The average daily energy output per kilowatt of installed solar power varies slightly by season, producing approximately 5.27 kWh in what would be considered the Summer period elsewhere, 5.19 kWh during Autumn-like conditions, a slightly lower average of 5.07 kWh in Winter-like periods and reaching up to an impressive 6.94 kWh during Spring-like conditions.
It's important to note that Santa Maria falls within the tropical zone where traditional seasons as known in temperate regions do not apply; instead this locale experiences wet and dry seasons which do not significantly impede solar energy production.
The optimal tilt angle for fixed-panel installations at this location is towards the South at an inclination of approximately 14 degrees from horizontal level; this orientation takes advantage of the path of the sun across the sky throughout the year providing ideal exposure for maximum solar absorption.
Despite these favorable conditions, it's worth noting that potential challenges could arise from environmental or topographical factors such as heavy rainfall or cloud cover during wet seasons which could reduce sunlight exposure on panels temporarily affecting output levels. To mitigate these effects it might be beneficial to consider installing high-quality panels with excellent low-light performance and ensuring regular maintenance checks are performed particularly after heavy rainfalls to ensure optimum performance is maintained.
In conclusion, Santa Maria offers great potential for efficient solar power generation given its geographical location within a consistently sunny tropical climate zone coupled with strategic panel placement oriented towards maximum sunlight capture.
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 268 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 Santa Maria
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 14.7069, Longitude: 120.93 (Santa Maria, 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 14° South in Santa Maria, Philippines
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Santa Maria, Philippines (Lat/Long 14.7069, 120.93) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 14° 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, Philippines. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 14° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1° North in Summer | 21° South in Autumn | 30° South in Winter | 8° 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, Philippines.
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 Santa Maria, Philippines
Santa Maria, Philippines is located in the northern part of Luzon Island and has a tropical climate. The topography around Santa Maria is generally flat with some rolling hills in the area. The surrounding areas are mostly agricultural land, which makes them ideal for large-scale solar PV installations. Areas near the coast have more open space and less vegetation, making them even better suited for solar PV projects. Additionally, there are several mountain ranges nearby that could be utilized to capture more sunlight and increase efficiency of solar panels.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 12th of November 2023
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.
