Solar PV Analysis of Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia, Bulgaria, situated at latitude 42.6951 and longitude 23.325, lies within the Northern Temperate Zone and offers favorable conditions for generating solar photovoltaic (PV) power throughout the year. The average daily energy production per kW of installed solar capacity varies by season: 6.99 kWh in Summer, 3.27 kWh in Autumn, 2.00 kWh in Winter, and 5.00 kWh in Spring.
The higher energy production values during Summer and Spring can be attributed to longer daylight hours compared to Autumn and Winter when days are shorter and nights are longer. Although weather conditions such as heavy rain or snowfall may occasionally impact solar PV efficiency in Sofia, its location within the Northern Temperate Zone ensures sufficient sunlight hours for effective electricity generation using photovoltaic cells.
To optimize energy production from solar panels at this location, it is recommended to tilt them at an angle of 36 degrees facing southward. This orientation maximizes exposure to sunlight throughout the year in Sofia.
In conclusion, despite occasional adverse weather conditions that may affect solar power generation efficiency in Sofia, its geographical position within the Northern Temperate Zone makes it a suitable location for harnessing renewable energy through solar PV systems year-round. By installing panels with appropriate tilt angles and taking preventive measures against potential shading issues or other environmental factors that could impede energy production, residents can expect reliable performance from their solar installations across all seasons.
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 Sofia
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.6951, Longitude: 23.325 (Sofia, 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 Sofia, Bulgaria
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sofia, Bulgaria (Lat/Long 42.6951, 23.325) 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 Sofia, 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 Sofia, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 57° South in Winter | 35° 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 Sofia, 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 Sofia, 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 Sofia, Bulgaria
The topography around Sofia, Bulgaria is mostly mountainous with some low-lying areas. The highest peak in the area is Vitosha Mountain, which stands at 2290 m (7514 ft). Areas to the south of Sofia are generally lower and flatter than those to the north. This makes them more suited for large-scale solar PV installations. In particular, the areas near Pernik, Kostinbrod, Dragoman and Bozhurishte all have relatively flat terrain that would be well suited for large-scale solar PV installations.
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: Saturday 6th of August 2022
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.
