Solar PV Analysis of Heraklion, Greece
Heraklion, Crete, Greece is a fairly good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced by a solar panel depends on how much sunlight it gets, and this varies with the seasons.
In summer, each kilowatt of installed solar capacity can produce about 8.22 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day. This is when the sun shines longest and strongest in Heraklion, Crete, making it an ideal time for generating solar power.
In autumn, this drops to around 4.52 kilowatt-hours per day as days become shorter and sunlight less intense.
Winter sees further reduction to about 3.02 kilowatt-hours per day due to short daylight hours and low sun position in the sky.
Come spring, production increases again to approximately 6.56 kilowatt-hours per day as days lengthen and sunshine becomes stronger.
For optimal year-round energy generation from your solar panels in Heraklion, Crete, you should tilt them at an angle of 30 degrees facing south. This will ensure they receive maximum sunlight exposure throughout all seasons.
As with any place though, local factors could affect your system's performance. In Heraklion these might include dust or sand carried by winds from nearby deserts which could settle on panels reducing their efficiency; occasional heavy cloud cover or rainstorms which block out sunlight; or even birds' droppings accumulating over time!
To mitigate these potential issues: regular cleaning can help keep your panels free from dust or bird droppings; installing them at a higher elevation where they're less likely to be shaded by clouds or buildings may increase their exposure to sun; finally using tracking systems that adjust panel angles according to sun's position throughout the day could also improve overall output although this would add significantly to installation costs.
Remember though that while such measures might enhance performance marginally they'd also increase initial investment so consider carefully whether extra gains justify extra costs.
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 Heraklion
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.3272, Longitude: 25.1371 (Heraklion, 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 30° South in Heraklion, Greece
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Heraklion, Greece (Lat/Long 35.3272, 25.1371) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Heraklion, 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 Heraklion, Greece. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° South in Summer | 39° South in Autumn | 50° South in Winter | 28° 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 Heraklion, 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 Heraklion, 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 Heraklion, Greece
Heraklion, the capital of Crete, Greece, is located near the Aegean Sea. It has a mixed topography with coastal plains that gradually rise to a rocky mountainous terrain. The area is characterized by its Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be the flat or gently sloping regions where there's maximum exposure to sunlight and less shadowing effect from mountains. This could include areas such as the coastal plains north of Heraklion or other open flat lands in the region.
However, this doesn't mean that hilly or mountainous regions cannot be used for solar power generation. With appropriate design and engineering solutions like terraced installation or dual-axis trackers, these regions can also effectively generate solar power.
In terms of environmental impact and local regulations, it is important to consider factors like land use policies, protected natural habitats and archaeological sites (since Greece has many), proximity to grid connection points etc., before deciding on large scale solar PV projects.
Finally, considering Crete is an island region which can have strong winds especially in certain seasons; wind energy might also be an alternative renewable source worth exploring along with Solar PV.
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 19th of April 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.
