Solar PV Analysis of Maracaibo, Venezuela
Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela is a great location for year-round solar energy production. This is due to its tropical climate where sunlight remains consistent throughout the year. The average amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt of installed solar panels varies slightly by season, but it's consistently high all year round: 6.01 kilowatt-hours per day in summer, 5.75 in autumn, 6.34 in winter and 6.05 in spring.
The best times to generate solar energy at this location are during the winter and summer seasons when daily output is highest; however, even during autumn and spring, the output is still quite good.
For a fixed panel installation here, tilting the panels at an angle of 10 degrees towards the south will maximize total annual production from your solar PV system.
However there might be some local factors that could affect solar production at this location such as weather conditions like heavy rainfall or dust storms which can block sunlight or damage panels respectively; also potential shading from nearby buildings or trees could reduce exposure to sunlight.
To mitigate these issues:
1) Regular maintenance and cleaning of panels can help maintain their efficiency.
2) Installing protective measures like sturdy frames for withstanding heavy rainfalls or dust storms.
3) Carefully planning your installation site to avoid any possible shading obstacles would ensure maximum sun exposure.
4) Using tracking systems that follow the sun’s path across the sky could also increase energy generation.
In conclusion, Maracaibo provides an excellent environment for generating renewable power through solar PV systems most part of the year if proper precautions are taken into account regarding local environmental factors.
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 Maracaibo
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 10.6658, Longitude: -71.621 (Maracaibo, 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 Maracaibo, Venezuela
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Maracaibo, Venezuela (Lat/Long 10.6658, -71.621) 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 Maracaibo, 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 Maracaibo, 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 Maracaibo, 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 Maracaibo, Venezuela.
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 Maracaibo, Venezuela
Maracaibo is located in the northwestern part of Venezuela, near the border with Colombia. The city lies on the western shore of Lake Maracaibo, which is South America's largest lake and one of the world's oldest bodies of water.
The topography around Maracaibo is quite varied. To the east and south-east, there are low-lying plains and wetlands that stretch along the coast. These areas are generally flat and could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
To the west and north-west, however, you will find more rugged terrain including mountains (the Sierra de Perijá range) which would not be ideal for such projects due to their steep slopes and rocky soil.
In terms of climate conditions conducive to solar energy production, Maracaibo has a hot semi-arid climate with high temperatures throughout most of the year - an average annual temperature exceeding 28 degrees Celsius - making it a good location for harnessing solar power. However, keep in mind that other factors like land availability/ownership status or proximity to existing power grids should also be considered when selecting sites for large-scale solar projects.
Moreover, being close to Lake Maracaibo could present opportunities related to floating solar panels technology – installing photovoltaic systems on bodies of water – but this would require further research regarding its feasibility in this particular context.
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 8th of April 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.
