Makarska, Croatia presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar PV energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this Croatian coastal location shows dramatic seasonal swings. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 7.24 kWh per day per installed kW, making it an excellent time for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.20 kWh daily output per kW, offering solid energy production during the March-May period. Autumn performance drops considerably to 3.38 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 1.82 kWh daily per kW. This winter figure represents just 25% of the summer output, highlighting the substantial seasonal challenge for year-round solar reliability.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For fixed solar panel installations at Makarska, the ideal tilt angle is 36 degrees facing south to maximize total annual energy production. This angle represents the optimal compromise across all seasons to capture the most solar energy throughout the year.

Local Environmental Challenges

Several environmental factors specific to Makarska's coastal Adriatic location can significantly impact solar panel performance and require preventative measures:

• Salt air corrosion: The coastal environment exposes panels to salt-laden air that can corrode mounting hardware and electrical connections over time
• Strong Bura winds: This region experiences powerful northeasterly winds that can damage improperly secured installations
• Mediterranean storms: Intense seasonal storms bring heavy rain and potential hail that can reduce performance or cause damage
• Dust and pollen accumulation: Dry summer periods combined with vegetation can lead to significant panel soiling

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several protective measures are essential. Use marine-grade aluminum mounting systems and stainless steel hardware specifically designed to resist salt corrosion. Ensure all electrical connections are properly sealed and use corrosion-resistant materials throughout the installation. Install robust mounting systems engineered to withstand high wind loads, particularly important given the region's exposure to strong Bura winds. Consider slightly elevated mounting to improve airflow and reduce salt accumulation on panel surfaces. Implement a regular cleaning schedule, especially during dusty summer months and after storms. Installing panels with adequate spacing allows for better air circulation and easier maintenance access. Consider automated cleaning systems for larger installations to maintain optimal performance year-round. The seasonal variation at Makarska makes it particularly important to size battery storage appropriately if seeking energy independence, as winter production drops to roughly one-quarter of summer levels.

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 29 locations across Croatia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Croatia by location

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

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.2931, Longitude: 17.0179 (Makarska, Croatia), 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 Makarska, Croatia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Makarska, Croatia (Lat/Long 43.2931, 17.0179) 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 Makarska, Croatia

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 Makarska, Croatia. 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 Makarska, Croatia

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 Makarska, Croatia.

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 Makarska, Croatia

Topographical Features of Makarska

Makarska sits in a dramatic coastal setting along Croatia's Dalmatian coast, positioned between the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea and the imposing Biokovo Mountain range. The town occupies a relatively narrow coastal plain that extends only a few kilometers inland before rising sharply into steep mountainous terrain. This coastal strip features gentle slopes and flat areas near the waterfront, gradually increasing in elevation as it approaches the foothills of the Biokovo massif. The Biokovo Mountain range dominates the landscape behind Makarska, with peaks reaching over 1,700 meters above sea level. These limestone mountains create a striking backdrop but also present significant topographical challenges for large-scale development. The terrain transitions rapidly from sea level to steep slopes, with rocky karst formations characteristic of the Dinaric Alps system. Deep valleys and ravines cut through the mountainous interior, creating a complex network of ridges and depressions.

Coastal Plain Characteristics

The coastal zone around Makarska consists primarily of a narrow band of relatively flat to gently sloping terrain. This area has been extensively developed for tourism and residential purposes, with the historic town center, hotels, and infrastructure occupying much of the available flat land. The soil composition varies from alluvial deposits near the coast to rocky limestone substrates further inland. Small valleys and drainage channels flow from the mountains toward the sea, creating occasional flat areas that interrupt the otherwise steep terrain. These valleys, known locally as "poljica," represent some of the few naturally level areas in the region outside the immediate coastal zone.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Makarska would be the elevated plateaus and gentle slopes found in the transitional zone between the coastal plain and the steep mountain faces. These areas, typically located 2-5 kilometers inland from the coast, offer several advantages including relatively stable terrain, reduced competition from tourism development, and good accessibility via existing road networks. The southeastern slopes and plateaus of the Biokovo foothills present particularly favorable conditions, as they receive excellent solar exposure while maintaining manageable gradients for construction and maintenance. Areas around the villages of Kotišina and Makar, located inland from Makarska, feature terrain that could accommodate solar installations while remaining accessible to the electrical grid. Some elevated valleys within the Biokovo range, particularly those with southern exposure and moderate slopes, could also serve as potential sites. However, these locations would require careful environmental assessment due to their proximity to protected natural areas and potential impact on the region's tourism landscape. The immediate coastal zone, while offering excellent solar exposure, remains largely unsuitable for large-scale solar development due to high land values, existing tourism infrastructure, and regulatory restrictions designed to preserve the scenic coastal character that attracts visitors to the region.

Croatia solar PV Stats as a country

Croatia ranks 84th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 109 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Croatia is generating 27 Watts from solar PV per capita (Croatia ranks 60th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Croatia?

Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Croatia. The Croatian 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 government has set up a feed-in tariff system which guarantees a certain price per kilowatt hour (kWh) generated from renewable sources such as solar energy. This helps to make investing in solar energy more attractive for businesses.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Croatia? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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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.