Viña del Mar, Region de Valparaiso, Chile, located in the Southern Sub Tropics, is a decent place to generate solar energy year-round. However, it's not perfect all the time. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar varies throughout the year.

In simple terms: during summer and spring, you'll get more power - around 7.84kWh/day in summer and 7.20kWh/day in spring per kW of installed solar. That's because these seasons have longer daylight hours and stronger sunlight intensity.

But during autumn and winter, your output drops quite a bit - down to 4.55kWh/day in autumn and even lower to 3.22kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar due to shorter days and less intense sunlight.

To maximize your total yearly production from your solar panels at this location, you should tilt them at an angle that points towards North by about 28 degrees.

As for local factors that could disrupt your solar production: Viña del Mar is known for its foggy weather especially during early morning hours which could block sunlight reaching the panels thereby reducing their efficiency; also dust accumulation on panel surface may hinder light absorption over time if left unattended.

To counter these issues:

1) Install systems that can adjust panel angles throughout the day so they always face towards the sun even when it's low on horizon (especially useful during foggy mornings).
2) Regularly clean off any dust or debris accumulated on panel surfaces using soft brushes or automated cleaning systems.
3) Consider adding battery storage system so excess power generated during peak times (like clear sunny afternoons) can be stored for use when generation is low (during foggy mornings or cloudy days).

So overall Viña del Mar provides good potential for generating solar energy but with some challenges which with right planning & maintenance practices can be effectively managed resulting into efficient energy production.

Note: The Southern Sub Tropics extend from -23.5° latitude South down to -35° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 23 locations across Chile. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Chile by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Viña del Mar

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.0228, Longitude: -71.5519 (Viña del Mar, Chile), 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:

Average 7.84kWh/day in Summer.

Average 4.55kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 3.22kWh/day in Winter.

Average 7.20kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 28° North in Viña del Mar, Chile

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Viña del Mar, Chile (Lat/Long -33.0228, -71.5519) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° North 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.

At Latitude: -33.0228, Longitude: -71.5519, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 28° North

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Viña del Mar, Chile

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 Viña del Mar, Chile. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° North tilt angle throughout the year.

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 Viña del Mar, Chile

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 Viña del Mar, Chile.

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 Viña del Mar, Chile

Viña del Mar, Chile is located in a coastal area with a mix of flat and hilly terrain. The city itself is situated on the flat coastal plain, but it's surrounded by hills and mountains that belong to the Chilean Coastal Range. To its east lies the Aconcagua Valley which leads up to the Andes Mountains.

Regarding solar PV installations, there are several factors to consider including sunlight intensity, land availability and slope, proximity to power grid connections among others.

The areas around Viña del Mar receive plenty of sunlight throughout the year making it suitable for solar energy production. However, due to its urban nature and high population density within the city limits, large scale solar PV installations may not be feasible unless mounted on rooftops or other structures.

On the other hand, less populated regions towards east in Aconcagua Valley could potentially accommodate large scale ground-mounted solar PV systems given their relatively flat terrain and lower land use conflicts. Also considering that this region has some agricultural activities going on already; dual-use or agrophotovoltaics (where farming activities coexist with electricity generation from solar panels) can be considered as an option.

However before any installation decision is made; detailed site-specific studies need to be conducted including irradiance analysis (to understand potential energy yield), environmental impact assessment (to minimize ecological damage), grid connectivity study etc., along with financial feasibility analysis.

It should also be noted that any such project would need approvals from local authorities and might have social implications which needs careful handling through public consultations and stakeholder engagements.

Chile solar PV Stats as a country

Chile ranks 22nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 4,468 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 9.10% of Chile's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 5th in the world). Each year Chile is generating 234 Watts from solar PV per capita (Chile ranks 21st in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Chile?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Chile. The Chilean government offers a range of financial incentives and tax credits for businesses that invest in renewable energy projects. These include grants, loans, and subsidies for the installation of solar panels. Additionally, businesses can benefit from net metering policies which allow them to sell excess electricity back to the grid at a premium rate. Finally, businesses may also be eligible for additional incentives such as reduced import duties on solar equipment or accelerated depreciation allowances on investments in renewable energy projects.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Chile? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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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.

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