Solar PV Analysis of Porlamar, Venezuela
Porlamar, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela is a pretty good spot for generating solar energy all year round. This is because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The amount of electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies slightly by season: about 5.73 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer, 6.11 kWh/day in autumn, 5.53 kWh/day in winter, and 6.05 kWh/day in spring.
The best times to generate solar power at this location are during autumn and spring when daily output can exceed 6 kWh per kW of installed solar panels.
If you're installing fixed panel solar PV here, tilting your panels at an angle of 11 degrees South will give you the maximum total production over the course of a year.
As for local factors that could affect your solar production - there might be some but they aren't significant enough to worry about too much. However, it's worth noting that Porlamar has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons which could potentially influence energy generation slightly depending on cloud cover during the wet season or dust accumulation on panels during dry periods.
To ensure greater energy production despite these potential challenges:
1) Regular cleaning: Dust and debris can block sunlight from reaching your solar cells so regular cleaning especially during drier periods would help maintain optimal performance.
2) Waterproofing: Ensuring your installation is waterproofed properly would prevent any damage or reduction in efficiency due to rainfall.
3) Proper Installation: Having professionals install the system correctly ensures that even with heavy rains or winds, your system remains secure and operational.
4) Using Quality Equipment: High-quality equipment tends to withstand environmental conditions better than cheaper alternatives.
In conclusion, while there may be minor seasonal variations and potential weather-related issues like dust or rain affecting panel cleanliness or integrity respectively, Porlamar, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela is a great location for generating solar energy throughout the year.
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 Porlamar
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 10.9663, Longitude: -63.8774 (Porlamar, 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 11° South in Porlamar, Venezuela
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Porlamar, Venezuela (Lat/Long 10.9663, -63.8774) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 11° 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 Porlamar, 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 Porlamar, Venezuela. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 11° 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 | 17° South in Autumn | 26° South in Winter | 5° 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 Porlamar, 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 Porlamar, 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 Porlamar, Venezuela
Porlamar is located on the southeastern coast of Isla Margarita, an island in the Caribbean Sea, off the northeastern coast of mainland Venezuela. The topography around Porlamar is relatively flat with some hilly areas further inland. The area experiences a tropical climate with plenty of sunshine throughout the year.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be flat and open areas that receive abundant sunlight. Given its coastal location and flat terrain, there are potentially suitable sites in and around Porlamar itself or other parts of Isla Margarita's coastline where land availability may permit such installations. Additionally, considering that this region has a high solar irradiance level due to its geographical location near the equator, it makes it an ideal place for solar power generation.
However, any specific site selection would need to take into account factors such as land use restrictions or protections (e.g., national parks or protected wildlife habitats), proximity to grid infrastructure for energy transmission, soil conditions for installation stability and potential impacts on local communities or ecosystems.
Moreover, given that Porlamar is located on an island, logistics could be a challenge for large-scale projects because equipment must be transported by sea which can increase costs. Therefore careful feasibility studies should also consider these aspects before deciding on a particular site.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 20th of June 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.
