Solar PV Analysis of Supetar, Croatia
Supetar, Croatia is a moderately good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of energy that can be produced from solar panels varies with the seasons. During summer, when days are longer and sunnier, you can expect to generate about 7.59 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed. This drops to about 3.61 kWh/day in autumn and further down to just 2.02 kWh/day in winter when days are shorter and less sunny. In spring, production increases again to around 5.80 kWh/day.
The ideal time of year for generating solar energy at this location would be during the summer months due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight exposure.
For maximum yearly production from your solar panels at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 36 degrees facing south.
As far as local factors that could affect solar production go, Supetar's Mediterranean climate means it has hot summers but mild winters which could potentially reduce overall annual output compared to locations with more consistent sunshine throughout the year.
In terms of topography or environmental factors that might impede on solar production; Supetar is located on an island so there may be potential issues with sea salt corrosion affecting the panels over time if not properly maintained or protected.
To mitigate these potential issues; using durable materials designed for marine environments during installation can help protect against sea salt corrosion while regular maintenance checks will ensure any damage is quickly identified and repaired before it significantly impacts performance.
Weather patterns such as cloud cover or storms could also impact on generation levels but these are less predictable and harder to mitigate against beyond ensuring your system is robustly installed and able withstand adverse weather conditions where possible.
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 Supetar
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.3876, Longitude: 16.5531 (Supetar, 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 Supetar, Croatia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Supetar, Croatia (Lat/Long 43.3876, 16.5531) 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 Supetar, 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 Supetar, 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 | 36° 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 Supetar, 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 Supetar, Croatia.
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 Supetar, Croatia
Supetar is located on the northern side of the island of Brač in Croatia. The topography around Supetar is characterized by a coastal plain leading up to rolling hills and low mountains inland. The terrain is a mix of rocky ground, forests, vineyards, olive groves, and cultivated fields.
The area receives plenty of sunlight throughout the year, making it potentially suitable for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. However, considering topography and land use:
1. Open Fields: Large-scale solar PV installations require large areas of open land that are not shaded by surrounding terrain or vegetation. Therefore, flat or gently sloping cultivated fields could be suitable locations.
2. Hilltops: Hilltops can also be good locations for solar PV as they are usually free from shading and can have higher levels of sunlight due to their elevation.
3. Unused Land: Any unused or barren lands with little to no vegetation would also be appropriate for setting up large-scale solar plants as it would not interfere with agriculture or natural habitats.
However, before any installation can proceed there would need to be thorough assessments including environmental impact studies and local planning permissions.
It's important to note that while Supetar has potential for solar energy production due to its sunny climate; it's an island location may present logistical challenges in transporting equipment and materials for large-scale projects unless sourced locally.
Finally, connectivity to the grid is crucial when considering potential sites as this could significantly influence costs associated with power transmission infrastructure if existing capacity is insufficient or non-existent.
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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Article Details for Citation
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.
