Concepción, Region del Biobio, Chile is a moderately good location for year-round solar energy production. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels changes throughout the year, depending on the season. In summer, you can expect to generate about 8.14 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This decreases to 4.20 kWh/day in autumn and further drops to 2.73 kWh/day in winter before rising again to 7.04 kWh/day in spring.

Therefore, the best times of the year for generating solar energy at this location are during the summer and spring when sunlight is more abundant compared to other seasons.

For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 31 degrees towards North will help maximise their total yearly output because it optimises their exposure to sunlight across all seasons.

However, there could be some environmental or weather factors that may affect this region's potential for producing solar energy:

1) Concepción is known for its rainfall which can reduce sunlight availability hence affecting power generation from PV systems.
2) Also due to its coastal location, salt mist could lead corrosion damage on metal parts and degrade performance over time if not properly maintained.
3) Lastly heavy winds common along coastlines might pose a risk if installations aren't secured correctly.

To mitigate these issues:
- Installations should be designed with sufficient drainage or even self-cleaning mechanisms so rainwater does not accumulate on them
- Use corrosion-resistant materials or coatings especially near coastal areas exposed to salt-laden air
- Ensure secure mounting systems are used that can withstand high wind conditions

In conclusion, while Concepción has reasonable potential as a site for solar power generation there are challenges related with local weather conditions that need careful consideration during system design stage.

Note: The Southern Temperate Zone extends from -35° latitude South down to -66.5° 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 Concepción

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -36.8335, Longitude: -73.0487 (Concepción, 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 8.14kWh/day in Summer.

Average 4.20kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 2.73kWh/day in Winter.

Average 7.04kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 31° North in Concepción, Chile

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Concepción, Chile (Lat/Long -36.8335, -73.0487) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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: -36.8335, Longitude: -73.0487, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 31° North

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Concepción, 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 Concepción, Chile. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° 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 Concepción, 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 Concepción, 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 Concepción, Chile

Concepción, Chile is located in the Biobío Region of central Chile. The city itself is largely flat as it sits on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. However, it's surrounded by coastal mountain ranges to its east and southeast, with peaks reaching up to 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) high in some places.

The BioBío region has a temperate oceanic climate with a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year. This might not make Concepción itself an ideal location for large-scale solar PV installations due to frequent cloud cover and precipitation.

However, areas further inland and towards the north may be more suitable. The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is one of the sunniest places on Earth making it highly suitable for large-scale solar energy production. In fact, this area already hosts several major solar power plants.

In terms of local proximity around Concepción though, regions with less cloud cover or higher elevations (where there's less atmospheric interference) would be preferable for solar PV installations - provided they are also accessible and don't have environmental restrictions against such developments.

It should also be noted that while topography and sunlight availability are important factors when considering locations for solar farms; other factors such as grid connectivity, land use policies/permissions and local community acceptance should also be taken into account during planning stages.

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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