Burrel, Dibër County, Albania presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar PV energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of its Northern Temperate Zone position.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows dramatic seasonal swings. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 7.46 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it an excellent time for solar generation. Spring also provides good results with 5.19 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly 70% of summer's output. However, the location faces considerable challenges during colder months. Autumn drops to 3.42 kWh per day per kW, while winter plummets to just 2.07 kWh per day per kW - less than 28% of summer production. This creates a substantial energy generation gap during the October through February period.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For fixed panel installations at Burrel, Dibër County, the ideal tilt angle is 35 degrees facing south to maximize total year-round solar production. This angle balances the sun's varying elevation throughout the seasons to capture the most energy across the entire year.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors at Burrel can significantly impact solar panel performance and require careful consideration during installation:

• Snow accumulation: Winter snow can completely block panels and dramatically reduce output during the already low-production winter months
• Dust and debris: The continental climate can create dusty conditions that reduce panel efficiency
• Potential shading: Mountainous terrain in northern Albania may create shadowing issues depending on exact site placement
• Temperature effects: Hot summers can reduce panel efficiency despite high solar irradiance

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective. Installing panels at the optimal 35-degree tilt naturally helps snow slide off more easily, reducing winter blockages. Ensuring adequate spacing between panel rows prevents snow buildup and allows for maintenance access. Regular cleaning schedules become essential, particularly during dusty periods and after snowfall. Installing panels with easy access for cleaning and snow removal significantly improves long-term performance. Choosing high-quality panels with better temperature coefficients helps maintain efficiency during hot summer months. Careful site selection avoiding natural shade sources like trees or terrain features maximizes available sunlight. Consider installing monitoring systems to quickly identify performance issues from snow, dust, or equipment problems. While Burrel offers decent solar potential, particularly during spring and summer months, the significant winter production drop and local environmental factors require thoughtful planning and ongoing maintenance to achieve optimal results from any solar PV installation.

Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 20 locations across Albania. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Albania by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Burrel

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.6088, Longitude: 20.0071 (Burrel, Albania), 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 35° South in Burrel, Albania

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Burrel, Albania (Lat/Long 41.6088, 20.0071) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Burrel, Albania

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 Burrel, Albania. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
25° South in Summer	45° South in Autumn	56° South in Winter	34° 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 Burrel, Albania

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 Burrel, Albania.

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 Burrel, Albania

Topographical Features Around Burrel

Burrel sits in the central region of Albania, nestled within a landscape that combines mountainous terrain with river valleys. The town is positioned in the Mat River valley, which creates a natural corridor through the surrounding highlands. To the east and southeast, the terrain rises significantly as part of the Albanian Alps foothills, while the western approaches gradually descend toward the Adriatic coastal plains. The immediate vicinity of Burrel features rolling hills and moderate slopes, with elevations varying considerably across short distances. The Mat River and its tributaries have carved distinctive valleys through the landscape, creating a mix of flat alluvial areas alongside steeper hillsides. These river valleys provide some of the most accessible flat terrain in the region, though they can be subject to seasonal flooding considerations. Moving outward from the town center, the topography becomes increasingly complex. The northern areas rise toward the Skanderbeg Mountains, presenting steep gradients and rugged terrain that would pose significant challenges for large infrastructure projects. Similarly, the eastern approaches climb toward higher elevations with rocky outcrops and irregular slopes that limit development opportunities.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for extensive solar installations lie to the southwest and west of Burrel, where the terrain begins its gradual transition toward the coastal lowlands. These areas offer gentler slopes and more consistent gradients that would facilitate construction and maintenance access while providing adequate drainage for infrastructure protection. The river terraces along the Mat River valley present particularly attractive opportunities, especially where they extend into broader flat areas away from immediate flood zones. These elevated but relatively level areas combine accessibility advantages with reduced environmental constraints compared to steeper hillside locations. South of Burrel, the landscape opens into wider valleys and plateaus that could accommodate large solar arrays. The terrain in this direction tends to be more stable geologically and offers better road access connections to the national grid infrastructure. The gradual southward slope of much of this area would also provide favorable orientation possibilities for solar panel positioning. Areas immediately adjacent to existing agricultural plains would likely prove most suitable, as they typically feature the consistent grades and soil stability necessary for substantial construction projects. These locations also tend to have established access routes and fewer competing land use pressures compared to prime agricultural zones or protected natural areas in the more mountainous regions surrounding Burrel.

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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.