María Pinto, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile, located in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation. The site's potential for solar power production varies significantly throughout the year, with distinct seasonal patterns.

Seasonal Solar Output

Solar energy production at this location peaks during the summer months, with an impressive average daily output of 7.86 kWh per kW of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind, yielding 7.18 kWh/day. These seasons present ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy generation.

However, autumn and winter see a notable decrease in solar output. Autumn produces an average of 4.49 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.15 kWh/day. This significant seasonal variation highlights the importance of proper system sizing to ensure adequate year-round energy supply.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar production at this location, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 29 degrees facing North. This optimal angle takes into account the site's latitude and the sun's changing position throughout the year, ensuring the best possible energy capture across all seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While María Pinto generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Dust and pollen: The region's dry climate may lead to dust accumulation on panels, potentially reducing efficiency.
• Occasional fog: Being relatively close to the coast, morning fog might occur, temporarily affecting solar output.

To mitigate these issues, regular panel cleaning and maintenance should be incorporated into the solar installation plan. Additionally, using high-quality, anti-reflective coatings on the panels can help maximize energy absorption even in less-than-ideal conditions.

Overall, María Pinto presents a very suitable location for solar PV installations, with its strong summer and spring performance offsetting the reduced winter output. With proper planning and maintenance, this site can provide substantial renewable energy throughout the year.

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 María Pinto

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.5124, Longitude: -71.1289 (María Pinto, 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:

 

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 29° North in María Pinto, Chile

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in María Pinto, Chile (Lat/Long -33.5124, -71.1289) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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.

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for María Pinto, 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 María Pinto, Chile. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
17° North in Summer	39° North in Autumn	49° North in Winter	26° North 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 María Pinto, 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 María Pinto, 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 María Pinto, Chile

The topography around María Pinto, Chile, located at latitude -33.5124 and longitude -71.1289, is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from coastal plains to mountainous terrain. This region is situated in the central part of Chile, approximately 50 kilometers west of Santiago, the country's capital. The area surrounding María Pinto features gently rolling hills and valleys, gradually giving way to more rugged terrain as one moves eastward towards the Andes Mountains. The town itself is nestled in a relatively flat area, with elevations ranging from about 200 to 300 meters above sea level. To the west, the land slopes down towards the Pacific coast, while to the east, the terrain becomes increasingly mountainous. The Maipo River Valley, a significant geographical feature in the region, lies to the south of María Pinto. This valley is known for its fertile soil and agricultural productivity, contributing to the area's rural character. The landscape is dotted with small farms, vineyards, and orchards, taking advantage of the favorable growing conditions.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations for solar PV projects typically have abundant sunlight, relatively flat terrain, and minimal environmental or agricultural conflicts. The areas to the west and northwest of María Pinto show promise for solar PV development. These regions feature more open, gently sloping terrain with fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. The proximity to the coast ensures ample sunlight throughout the year, although morning fog may occasionally reduce solar efficiency. The plains and lower hillsides surrounding María Pinto itself could also be suitable for solar PV installations. These areas receive good solar radiation and have the advantage of being close to existing infrastructure, which could facilitate grid connection and maintenance. However, it's important to note that the fertile agricultural land in the Maipo River Valley to the south may not be ideal for large-scale solar projects, as it could conflict with food production and local economic activities. Additionally, the more mountainous areas to the east, while potentially receiving high levels of solar radiation, present challenges in terms of accessibility and construction feasibility. Any large-scale solar PV development in the region would need to carefully balance energy production goals with environmental conservation, agricultural needs, and local community interests. Detailed site-specific studies would be necessary to determine the most appropriate locations for such projects in the vicinity of María Pinto.

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.