Solar PV Analysis of Corozal, Puerto Rico
Corozal, Puerto Rico is a good location for year-round solar energy production due to its tropical climate where sunlight is consistent throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be generated from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies by season: 6.53 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer, 5.74 kWh/day in autumn, 5.28 kWh/day in winter and 6.78 kWh/day in spring.
This means that the most productive time for generating solar power at this location would be during the spring and summer months when daily output is highest, but even during autumn and winter, the output remains fairly high making it an ideal place for solar energy generation all year round.
For a fixed panel installation at Corozal, tilting the panels at an angle of 17 degrees south would optimize total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
However, there could be local factors that might affect solar production such as weather conditions or environmental issues. For instance, Puerto Rico experiences periodic hurricanes which could damage the panels or block sunlight with clouds and debris; also heavy rainfall during wet seasons might reduce sunlight exposure temporarily affecting performance.
To mitigate these potential risks while installing your PV system you could consider measures like sturdy mounting structures to withstand strong winds and regular maintenance checks to clear any debris blocking sun exposure on your panels. Additionally investing in waterproofing solutions can help protect against heavy rainfalls thereby ensuring greater energy production consistently throughout the year despite local weather challenges.
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 42 locations across Puerto Rico. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Puerto Rico by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Corozal
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 18.3388, Longitude: -66.3184 (Corozal, Puerto Rico), 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 17° South in Corozal, Puerto Rico
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Corozal, Puerto Rico (Lat/Long 18.3388, -66.3184) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 17° 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 Corozal, Puerto Rico
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 Corozal, Puerto Rico. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 17° 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 | 34° South in Winter | 12° 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 Corozal, Puerto Rico
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 Corozal, Puerto Rico.
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 Corozal, Puerto Rico
Corozal, Puerto Rico is located in the mountainous region of the island. The area is characterized by steep slopes and valleys with an elevation that ranges from 20 to 1,205 meters above sea level. It's covered mostly by tropical rainforest vegetation.
In terms of solar PV potential, flat areas are generally more suitable for large-scale installations due to ease of installation and maintenance. However, given Corozal’s mountainous terrain, it might be a bit challenging to find such spaces.
However, there are some potential alternatives:
1) Distributed Solar: Instead of one large solar farm, smaller arrays could be installed on rooftops or other available spaces within the community. This would also have the advantage of reducing transmission losses.
2) Terraced Solar Farms: In some hilly regions around the world like China and India, terraced solar farms have been successfully implemented where panels are installed on graduated terraces down a slope.
3) Floating Solar Farms: If there are any significant bodies of water nearby (like Lake Guajataca), floating solar farms could be another option. These systems can even increase efficiency due to the cooling effect of water.
It would require detailed site surveys and analysis including factors like sunlight availability (solar irradiance data), land use restrictions etc., to determine specific locations best suited for large scale solar PV in or near Corozal.
Puerto Rico solar PV Stats as a country
Puerto Rico ranks 48th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 491 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Puerto Rico is generating 154 Watts from solar PV per capita (Puerto Rico ranks 33rd in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Puerto Rico?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico Energy Commission (PREC) offers a net metering program that allows businesses to receive credits on their electricity bills for the excess energy they generate from their solar systems. Additionally, businesses may be eligible for federal tax credits and accelerated depreciation benefits. The PREC also provides grants and loans to help offset the cost of installing solar systems.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Puerto Rico? 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 29th of April 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.
