Solar PV Analysis of Drapetsona, Greece
Drapetsona, Attica, Greece, situated at coordinates 37.9468°N, 23.6202°E, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This coastal town in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons, making it an interesting case study for solar energy production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy output in Drapetsona fluctuates significantly across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 8.19 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, generating 6.39 kWh per day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production, yielding 4.13 kWh daily, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.88 kWh per day.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
Given these figures, the ideal times for solar energy generation in Drapetsona are clearly the summer months, followed closely by spring. During these periods, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. While autumn and winter see reduced output, the location still maintains a reasonable level of production year-round, making it a viable option for consistent solar energy generation.
Panel Installation Considerations
For those looking to maximize solar energy production in Drapetsona, Attica, it's crucial to consider the optimal panel tilt angle. For fixed panel installations, the ideal angle to maximize year-round production is 32 degrees facing South. This angle has been carefully calculated to account for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the specific latitude of the location, ensuring the best possible exposure to sunlight throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Factors
While Drapetsona generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Coastal location: Being close to the sea, salt spray could potentially accumulate on solar panels, reducing their efficiency over time.
- Urban setting: Drapetsona's urban environment might lead to increased dust and pollution, which could settle on the panels and impact their performance.
To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is essential. Additionally, investing in high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials for panel frames and mounting systems can help protect against salt-air corrosion. Some installers may also recommend special coatings or sealants to provide extra protection against environmental factors.
Overall, with proper installation and maintenance, Drapetsona presents a very suitable location for year-round solar PV energy generation, with particularly high potential during the summer and spring months.
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 87 locations across Greece. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Greece by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Drapetsona
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.9468, Longitude: 23.6202 (Drapetsona, Greece), 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 32° South in Drapetsona, Greece
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Drapetsona, Greece (Lat/Long 37.9468, 23.6202) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Drapetsona, Greece
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 Drapetsona, Greece. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 52° South in Winter | 30° 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 Drapetsona, Greece
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 Drapetsona, Greece.
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 Drapetsona, Greece
Drapetsona is a coastal suburb located in the southwestern part of Athens, Greece. The topography of the area around Drapetsona is characterized by a mix of urban development and hilly terrain. The immediate coastal area is relatively flat, with the land gradually rising as you move inland.
To the north and northwest of Drapetsona, the terrain becomes more elevated, with gentle hills and slopes. These hills are part of the larger Egaleo mountain range, which forms a natural barrier between Athens and its western suburbs. The elevation in this area typically ranges from 50 to 200 meters above sea level.
To the east and northeast, the land is mostly flat, as it transitions into the densely populated urban areas of Piraeus and Athens. This area is heavily developed with residential and industrial zones.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few potential options to consider:
The hilly areas to the north and northwest of Drapetsona could be suitable for solar PV installations. These elevated locations receive good sunlight exposure and have less urban development, potentially offering more available space. However, the sloping terrain may require some additional engineering considerations.
Another possibility lies in the more industrial areas to the west and southwest of Drapetsona. These zones often have large, flat rooftops that could be ideal for solar panel installations. While not as spacious as open land, utilizing existing structures can be an efficient use of space in urban environments.
It's worth noting that the densely populated nature of the greater Athens area may limit options for truly large-scale solar installations in the immediate vicinity of Drapetsona. For more extensive solar farms, it might be necessary to look further afield, perhaps towards the less developed areas west of Athens or on nearby islands in the Saronic Gulf.
Any solar PV project in this region would need to carefully consider factors such as local zoning laws, environmental regulations, and the capacity of the existing power grid to accommodate new energy sources.
Greece solar PV Stats as a country
Greece ranks 24th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 3,530 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 9.30% of Greece's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 4th in the world). Each year Greece is generating 329 Watts from solar PV per capita (Greece ranks 11th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Greece?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Greece. The Greek government offers a range of financial incentives and tax breaks for businesses that invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include grants, subsidies, and tax credits. Additionally, the European Union has set up a number of programs to support the development of renewable energy sources in Greece.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Greece? 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: Friday 9th of August 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.
