Solar PV Analysis of Kos, Greece
The location at Kos, South Aegean, Greece is quite good for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, the effectiveness will vary depending on the season.
In summer, you can expect to generate a lot of electricity - around 8.50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This makes it an ideal time to generate solar power as there's plenty of sunlight.
In autumn and spring, you'll still get decent amounts of power - around 4.87 kWh/day in autumn and 6.75 kWh/day in spring per kW installed.
Winter is when you'll see the lowest output, with only about 2.98 kWh/day per kW installed due to shorter days and less intense sunlight.
To maximize your total yearly production from your solar panels at this location, they should be tilted at an angle of 31 degrees facing south if they are fixed installations - this allows them to best capture sunlight throughout different times of the year.
As for local factors that could impede solar production: Kos is known for its sunny weather so generally speaking it's a good place for installing solar panels but there are some things worth considering:
1) Dust or dirt accumulation on the panels can reduce their efficiency over time; regular cleaning would help maintain their performance.
2) The island does experience occasional strong winds which could potentially damage poorly secured installations; thus ensuring proper installation and possibly using wind-resistant designs would be beneficial.
3) While not common, hailstorms do occur occasionally which could damage panels; protective measures like durable panel materials or covers might be useful.
4) Shade from nearby buildings or vegetation might also affect panel efficiency; careful placement avoiding such obstructions would help ensure maximum sunlight exposure.
5) Finally, while Kos has lots of sunshine overall, cloud cover does vary across seasons and can impact daily output levels – something that’s hard to control but important to factor into any calculations about potential energy production.
In summary, while there are some considerations to keep in mind, Kos, South Aegean, Greece is generally a good place for solar power generation with its ample sunshine especially during the summer 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 Kos
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.8958, Longitude: 27.288 (Kos, 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 31° South in Kos, Greece
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kos, Greece (Lat/Long 36.8958, 27.288) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Kos, 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 Kos, Greece. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° South in Summer | 41° South in Autumn | 51° South in Winter | 29° 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 Kos, 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 Kos, 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 Kos, Greece
Kos, Greece is an island located in the southeastern Aegean Sea. The topography of Kos is a combination of mountains and flatlands. The western part of the island is mountainous with peaks reaching up to 846 meters, while the eastern part is relatively flat with fertile plains that are used for agriculture.
In terms of solar PV potential, areas with maximum sunlight exposure and minimal shade would be most suitable. Considering this, the flatter regions in the east might be more suited for large-scale solar PV installations as they offer larger uninterrupted land spaces and likely less shading from mountains. However, it's important to consider other factors such as land use (agricultural or otherwise), proximity to power grids for energy transmission, environmental impact, etc.
Moreover, given that Kos is an island surrounded by water bodies on all sides; offshore or floating solar panel installations could also be considered if feasible.
It's recommended to conduct a detailed site-specific assessment considering all these factors before deciding on any large-scale installation.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 18th of May 2024
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.
