Cariaco, Sucre, Venezuela offers excellent conditions for year-round solar energy generation, making it a highly suitable location for solar PV installations. Located in the tropics at coordinates 10.4996°N, -63.5533°W, this area benefits from consistent sunlight throughout most of the year, with seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than dramatic temperature variations.

Solar Energy Production Potential

The solar energy output at Cariaco demonstrates strong and consistent performance across all seasons. The location can generate between 5.49 and 6.11 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity, depending on the season.

• Summer: 5.78 kWh/day per kW installed
• Autumn: 6.11 kWh/day per kW installed
• Winter: 5.49 kWh/day per kW installed
• Spring: 6.09 kWh/day per kW installed

The best solar generation periods occur during autumn and spring, when daily output exceeds 6 kWh per kW of installed capacity. Even during winter, the lowest-producing season, the location still generates a respectable 5.49 kWh per kW daily, demonstrating the reliability of solar energy in this tropical location. For optimal year-round performance, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 10 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual solar production by accounting for the sun's path throughout the year and the location's proximity to the equator.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Despite the favorable solar conditions, several local factors could potentially impact solar energy production in Cariaco. The tropical climate brings specific challenges that require careful consideration during installation and maintenance. Humidity and Moisture: The high humidity levels typical of tropical coastal areas can lead to moisture infiltration in electrical components and accelerated corrosion of metal parts. This can reduce system efficiency and lifespan if not properly addressed. Heavy Rainfall: During wet seasons, intense tropical downpours can temporarily reduce solar output and may cause water damage to improperly sealed systems. However, rain can also help clean panels naturally. Salt Air Corrosion: Being located near the Caribbean coast, Cariaco experiences salt-laden air that can accelerate corrosion of metal components, particularly aluminum frames and mounting hardware. High Temperatures: Consistent tropical heat can reduce panel efficiency, as solar panels typically perform less efficiently at higher temperatures despite abundant sunlight.

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

Several installation strategies can help mitigate these environmental challenges and ensure maximum energy production:

• Use marine-grade aluminum or stainless steel mounting systems with anti-corrosion coatings
• Install panels with adequate ventilation spacing underneath to promote cooling airflow
• Ensure all electrical connections are properly sealed with weatherproof enclosures rated for tropical conditions
• Choose panels and inverters specifically rated for high-humidity tropical environments
• Implement proper drainage systems to prevent water accumulation around installations
• Schedule regular cleaning and maintenance to remove salt deposits and debris

Regular maintenance becomes particularly important in this environment. Monthly inspections for corrosion, loose connections, and panel cleanliness will help maintain optimal performance. The natural rainfall during wet seasons can assist with panel cleaning, but manual cleaning may be necessary during drier periods to remove accumulated dust and salt residue. Overall, Cariaco represents an excellent location for solar energy generation, with the environmental challenges being manageable through proper installation techniques and regular maintenance protocols.

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

Link: Solar PV potential in Venezuela by location

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

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 10.4996, Longitude: -63.5533 (Cariaco, Venezuela), 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 10° South in Cariaco, Venezuela

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cariaco, Venezuela (Lat/Long 10.4996, -63.5533) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 10° 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 Cariaco, Venezuela

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 Cariaco, Venezuela. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 10° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
5° North in Summer	16° South in Autumn	26° South in Winter	4° 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 Cariaco, Venezuela

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 Cariaco, Venezuela.

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 Cariaco, Venezuela

Topographical Features of Cariaco

Cariaco sits along the northern coast of Venezuela within the state of Sucre, positioned on the southern shore of the Gulf of Cariaco. The town occupies a relatively flat coastal plain that extends inland from the Caribbean Sea, with the terrain gradually rising as it moves away from the water's edge. This coastal plain is characterized by gentle slopes and minimal elevation changes, making it part of the broader lowland region that defines much of Venezuela's northern coastline. The immediate surroundings of Cariaco feature a mix of agricultural lands, small settlements, and patches of natural vegetation typical of the region's semi-arid climate. The landscape is generally open with scattered trees and shrubs, creating an environment that receives abundant sunlight throughout most of the year. The terrain becomes more undulating as it extends southward from the coast, with rolling hills and small valleys creating a varied but not dramatically steep topography.

Regional Elevation Patterns

Moving inland from Cariaco, the elevation gradually increases toward the foothills of the Coastal Range, known locally as the Cordillera de la Costa. However, the immediate vicinity remains at relatively low elevations, typically ranging from sea level to approximately 200 meters above sea level within a 20-kilometer radius of the town. This gentle elevation profile means that large areas of land remain accessible for development while still maintaining good drainage characteristics. The broader region features several river valleys and seasonal watercourses that have created natural corridors of flatter terrain extending inland from the coast. These valleys often contain some of the most level ground in the area, though they may experience occasional flooding during heavy rainfall periods. The interfluves between these valleys tend to be slightly elevated but still maintain relatively gentle slopes that would not pose significant challenges for large-scale infrastructure development.

Optimal Areas for Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Cariaco would be the elevated plateaus and gentle slopes located 5 to 15 kilometers inland from the immediate coastal zone. These areas benefit from being above the immediate coastal humidity while remaining at modest elevations that keep installation and maintenance costs reasonable. The terrain in these zones typically features stable soils and good natural drainage, essential factors for supporting substantial solar infrastructure. The rolling hills southeast and southwest of Cariaco present particularly promising opportunities, as they offer large contiguous areas of relatively uniform terrain with southern-facing slopes that would optimize solar panel orientation. These locations are far enough from the coast to avoid the most corrosive effects of salt air while remaining accessible via existing road networks that connect the coastal communities with inland agricultural areas. Agricultural lands that are currently underutilized or experiencing reduced productivity due to changing economic conditions could also serve as excellent candidates for solar development. Many of these areas already have cleared vegetation and established access routes, which would reduce the initial site preparation requirements. The flat to gently rolling agricultural plains extending westward from Cariaco toward the regional center of Cumaná offer extensive areas that could accommodate very large solar installations while maintaining appropriate distances from residential areas and environmentally sensitive coastal zones.

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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.