Solar PV Analysis of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
The location at Plovdiv, Bulgaria is fairly good for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) panels throughout the year. However, the efficiency of solar power generation varies by season.
During summer, you can expect to generate a lot of electricity - about 6.96 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This is because the days are longer and sunnier during this period.
In autumn, the amount of electricity that can be generated drops to about 3.26 kWh/day per kW due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight.
Winter sees another drop in production due to even shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity; you can expect around 2.03 kWh/day per kW.
Spring sees an increase again with around 5.15 kWh/day per kW as daylight hours start to increase along with more intense sunlight.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle facing 36 degrees South; this will allow them to capture as much sunlight as possible across all seasons.
As far as environmental or local factors are concerned that could affect solar production in Plovdiv, Bulgaria - it's important to consider things like local weather patterns and topography which could potentially impede sunlight reaching your panels (e.g., foggy weather conditions or tall buildings/trees casting shadows on your panels). To mitigate these issues when installing your panels:
1) Choose a location that has maximum exposure to direct sunlight throughout the day.
2) Make sure there are no obstructions such as trees or buildings that could cast shadows on your panel.
3) Keep track of local weather patterns so you know what times of year might have less optimal conditions for generating solar power.
4) Regular maintenance - cleaning off any dust or debris from your panel surfaces will help ensure they're working as efficiently as possible.
In conclusion, while Plovdiv, Bulgaria isn't the ideal place for generating solar energy year-round due to seasonal variations in sun intensity and daylight hours, it's still a viable location with proper installation and maintenance of your solar panels.
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 Plovdiv
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.1513, Longitude: 24.7518 (Plovdiv, 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 36° South in Plovdiv, Bulgaria
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (Lat/Long 42.1513, 24.7518) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Plovdiv, 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 Plovdiv, Bulgaria. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° 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 Plovdiv, 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 Plovdiv, 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 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv, the second-largest city in Bulgaria, is situated in the southern part of the country. The topography around Plovdiv is diverse and includes flatlands, rolling hills, and mountainous regions. The city itself lies in a fertile plain surrounded by seven hills.
The Maritsa River flows through Plovdiv creating fertile lands suitable for agriculture. To the north of Plovdiv are the Balkan Mountains (also known as Stara Planina), while to the south are the Rhodope Mountains.
1. Flatlands: The plains around Plovdiv can be ideal for large scale installations due to their flatness which allows easy installation.
2. Agricultural Lands: Large scale farms could also be installed on agricultural lands if they aren't being used intensively for cultivation or if dual-use systems that combine agriculture with other uses are considered feasible.
3. Near Infrastructure: Areas near existing infrastructure like roads or power lines would also be suitable as this can reduce costs related to transportation of equipment and connection to grid respectively.
4. Brownfield Sites: If there are any unused industrial sites (brownfields) available around Plovdiv they might also be good candidates since these often have good access to infrastructure already in place.
However a detailed site-specific analysis would need to be done before deciding on any particular location.
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!
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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 10th of February 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.
