Solar PV Analysis of Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
The location at Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria is moderately ideal for generating solar power throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced by a solar panel varies with the seasons: it's highest in summer (6.99 kilowatt-hours per day) and lowest in winter (2.00 kilowatt-hours per day). Spring and autumn fall somewhere in between, producing 5.00 and 3.27 kilowatt-hours per day respectively.
This means that the most effective time to generate solar power is during the summer months when sunlight is abundant, followed by spring. Autumn comes next while winter would be least productive due to shorter daylight hours and potentially less intense sunlight.
To maximize energy production from your solar panels all year round, they should ideally be installed at an angle of 35 degrees facing South - this allows them to capture as much sunlight as possible over the course of a year.
There may also be local factors which could affect how much energy you can produce from your panels such as weather conditions or environmental issues like dust or pollution levels which could block sunlight reaching your panels; however, these factors are not specified here so we cannot comment on their significance for this specific location.
If there are significant environmental factors impeding your solar production such as heavy snowfall blocking light access to your panels in winter or dust storms covering them with debris in other seasons, there are preventative measures you can take like installing automated cleaning systems or protective covers for severe weather conditions; but again without specific data on these potential issues we cannot make precise recommendations.
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 68 locations across Bulgaria. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Bulgaria by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Blagoevgrad
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.02, Longitude: 23.0961 (Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria), 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 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria (Lat/Long 42.02, 23.0961) 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 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
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 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 46° 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 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
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 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria.
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 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria is located in the southwestern part of the country in the Struma River valley at the foot of Rila and Pirin Mountains. The topography around Blagoevgrad is a combination of mountainous terrain and flat valleys.
As for solar PV suitability, large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are typically most efficient in areas with high levels of sunlight and flat or gently sloping land. The Struma River Valley could be a potential area for large-scale solar PV due to its relatively flat terrain compared to surrounding mountains. However, it's important to consider other factors such as local climate, vegetation cover, soil type etc., which might affect installation and operation costs.
Additionally, south-facing slopes on lower parts of the mountains could also be considered as they would receive ample sunlight throughout the day. But these locations might pose challenges related to accessibility and construction.
Before any decision can be made for large scale solar PV installations, detailed site-specific studies including aspects like annual sun hours data analysis (solar irradiation), land use restrictions or permissions etc., should be carried out by professionals in this field.
Bulgaria solar PV Stats as a country
Bulgaria ranks 41st in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,186 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 4.70% of Bulgaria's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 18th in the world). Each year Bulgaria is generating 171 Watts from solar PV per capita (Bulgaria ranks 31st in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Bulgaria?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian government offers a number of financial incentives and subsidies for businesses that install solar energy systems. These include grants, tax credits, and other forms of support. Additionally, the European Union has provided funding for renewable energy projects in Bulgaria through its Horizon 2020 program.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Bulgaria? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 12th of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
