Mytilene, North Aegean, Greece, located at 39.1136° N, 26.5558° E, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This coastal city in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences varying levels of solar energy production across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Energy Production

Solar energy output in Mytilene fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, with an impressive 8.12 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.95 kWh/day. Autumn sees a decrease in production with 4.20 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.41 kWh/day.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The most ideal time for solar energy production in Mytilene is from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. However, even during the less productive winter months, the region still receives enough sunlight to generate a meaningful amount of electricity.

Panel Installation Considerations

For fixed panel installations in Mytilene, North Aegean, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 33 degrees facing south. This angle takes into account the city's latitude and seasonal variations in sun position, ensuring the panels capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Mytilene generally provides favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact efficiency: 1. Dust and salt spray: Being a coastal location, salt spray from the Aegean Sea could accumulate on solar panels, potentially reducing their efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue. 2. Occasional cloudy days: Although Mytilene enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, it can experience cloudy periods, particularly in winter. Installing high-quality panels that perform well in diffuse light conditions can help maintain energy production during these times. To address these factors, implementing a regular cleaning schedule for the panels and using corrosion-resistant materials in the installation process can help ensure optimal energy production. Additionally, considering a slight adjustment to the panel tilt angle during winter months could potentially increase energy capture during the less productive season. Overall, Mytilene's location offers a favorable environment for solar PV energy generation, with strong potential for year-round electricity production despite seasonal variations.

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 Mytilene

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.1136, Longitude: 26.5558 (Mytilene, 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 33° South in Mytilene, Greece

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mytilene, Greece (Lat/Long 39.1136, 26.5558) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Mytilene, 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 Mytilene, Greece. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
23° South in Summer	43° South in Autumn	53° South in Winter	31° 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 Mytilene, 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 Mytilene, Greece.

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 Mytilene, Greece

The area around Mytilene, Greece, located on the eastern coast of Lesbos Island, features a diverse and picturesque topography. The city itself is situated on a small peninsula that juts out into the Aegean Sea, with gentle hills rising from the coastline. As you move inland from Mytilene, the landscape becomes more varied and rugged.

The immediate surroundings of Mytilene are characterized by rolling hills covered in olive groves, which are a significant part of the local landscape and economy. These hills gradually give way to more mountainous terrain as you move towards the center of the island. The highest point on Lesbos, Mount Olympus (not to be confused with the more famous Mount Olympus on mainland Greece), reaches an elevation of about 968 meters (3,176 feet) and is located in the central part of the island.

The coastline near Mytilene features a mix of sandy beaches and rocky coves, with several small bays and inlets. The terrain becomes more dramatic along the northern and western coasts of Lesbos, with steeper cliffs and more rugged shorelines.

Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Mytilene for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have the following characteristics:

1. Relatively flat or gently sloping terrain to minimize installation costs and maximize sun exposure.

2. Areas with minimal shading from mountains or tall vegetation.

3. Regions with good road access for construction and maintenance.

4. Locations that are not prime agricultural land or ecologically sensitive areas.

Given these criteria, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Mytilene would likely be found in the following regions:

The plains and gentler slopes to the south and southwest of Mytilene offer promising locations. These areas have more open, flatter terrain compared to the mountainous central part of the island. The region between Mytilene and the town of Plomari, for instance, has several locations that could be suitable.

Some of the higher plateaus in the central part of the island, particularly those with good sun exposure and minimal forestation, could also be potential sites for solar installations. However, these would need to be carefully selected to balance energy production potential with environmental and aesthetic concerns.

It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site surveys, environmental impact assessments, and approval from local authorities. The unique ecosystem of Lesbos and its reliance on tourism would need to be carefully considered in the planning of such installations.

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

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.