Solar PV Analysis of Fier, Albania
The location at Fier, Albania, which is in the Northern Temperate Zone, can be suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, its productivity varies with seasons.
During summer and spring seasons when there's more sunlight due to longer days and clearer skies, you can expect higher electricity output from your solar panels - about 8.15 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and 6.19 kilowatt-hours per day in spring for each kilowatt of installed solar power. These periods would be the most ideal times of the year to generate solar energy at this location.
On contrary, during autumn and winter months when days are shorter and there’s less sunlight due to cloud cover or foggy conditions; the electricity output drops significantly - about 3.83 kilowatt-hours per day in autumn and even lower at 2.42 kilowatt-hours per day in winter for each kW of installed solar power.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 34 degrees towards South would maximize their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year leading to greater total annual production from your solar PV system.
As far as local factors that could impede solar production are concerned; weather conditions such as heavy snowfall or extreme fog could limit exposure to sunlight thereby reducing efficiency of your panels during those periods. Also dust accumulation on panel surface may reduce their effectiveness over time if not cleaned regularly.
To mitigate these issues:
1) You might want to consider installing snow guards or using heat tapes on your panels if heavy snowfall is common during winters.
2) In case of frequent foggy conditions you might want to consider using anti-reflective coating on your panels which helps them capture more light under low-light conditions.
3) Regular cleaning/maintenance schedule should be set up for removing dust/dirt off the panels to ensure they operate at their maximum efficiency.
Remember, these measures would only be necessary if these factors significantly impact solar production at your location.
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 Fier
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.7267, Longitude: 19.5612 (Fier, 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 34° South in Fier, Albania
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fier, Albania (Lat/Long 40.7267, 19.5612) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Fier, 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 Fier, Albania. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° 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 | 44° South in Autumn | 55° South in Winter | 33° 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 Fier, 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 Fier, Albania.
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 Fier, Albania
Fier, Albania is located in the southwestern part of the country and is characterized by a mix of coastal lowlands and interior hills. The city itself lies on the flat floodplain of the Gjanica River, which flows into the Adriatic Sea.
The topography around Fier varies from sea level at its coast to moderate elevations inland. To its west, you will find coastal plains that are an extension of Myzeqe Plain, one of Albania's most fertile regions. To its east and south-east are rolling hills that gradually increase in elevation as they merge with Mallakastra Hills.
Given this topography, large-scale solar PV installations could be potentially suited for both types of terrain depending on specific project requirements:
1) Flat Coastal Plains: These areas would be ideal for ground-mounted solar PV arrays due to their flatness which makes installation easier and more efficient.
2) Rolling Hills: While hill slopes can present some challenges for installation (such as increased costs due to need for terracing or specialized mounting systems), they also offer potential advantages such as greater sun exposure if oriented correctly.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar PV isn't determined by topography alone but involves various factors including sunlight levels (solar irradiance), land availability/usage restrictions, proximity to grid connections or demand centers etc.
Albania generally has high levels of sunshine throughout year making it a good location overall for solar power generation. Specifically within Fier region, places like Seman beach area or vast agricultural lands in Myzeqe plain may be considered after thorough feasibility studies considering all relevant factors.
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 23rd 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.
