Solar PV Analysis of Piraeus, Greece
The location at Piraeus, Attica, Greece is quite suitable for generating energy via solar PV throughout the year. However, there are variations in the amount of electricity that can be produced depending on the season.
In summer, you can expect to generate a lot of electricity - about 8.19kWh per day for each kW of installed solar. This is because during summer, days are longer and sunlight is more intense which allows for maximum solar energy production.
During autumn and winter, the output drops significantly to 4.13kWh/day and 2.88kWh/day respectively due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight.
In spring, however, the output increases again up to approximately 6.39 kWh/day as daylight hours increase leading up to summer.
To maximize total year-round production from solar PV at this location if you have a fixed panel installation setup (meaning panels don't move or track the sun), it's best to tilt your panels at an angle of 32 degrees facing South.
As far as environmental factors go that could potentially hinder solar production in this area - being located near bodies of water like seas or oceans can sometimes lead to increased cloud cover or fog which may reduce sunlight exposure on some days but this isn't always significant enough in Piraeus' case given its Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine throughout most parts of the year.
A potential preventative measure against such weather conditions would be installing high-quality panels with good performance under low light conditions so they continue producing even when it's cloudy or foggy out there along with regular maintenance checks ensuring panels remain clean & free from dust/dirt accumulation which could otherwise block incoming light thus reducing their efficiency over time.
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 Piraeus
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.9437, Longitude: 23.6421 (Piraeus, 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 Piraeus, Greece
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Piraeus, Greece (Lat/Long 37.9437, 23.6421) 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 Piraeus, 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 Piraeus, 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 Piraeus, 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 Piraeus, 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 Piraeus, Greece
Piraeus, Greece is located in the Attica region and is characterized by a Mediterranean climate. The topography of Piraeus consists mainly of coastal flatlands with hills to the north and east. The city itself is densely populated and urbanized, which might limit the availability of large open spaces for solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas with high levels of sunlight exposure and relatively flat terrain are generally most suitable. In the case of Piraeus, these could potentially be found in less developed regions to the east or north-east where there may be more available land space. These areas are also closer to hills which can help reduce shadowing effects on solar panels.
Another option could be offshore floating solar farms if feasible, given Piraeus's location near water bodies. However, this would likely involve higher costs and technical challenges compared to land-based installations.
It's also worth noting that rooftop solar panels could be an alternative solution within the city center itself - although this wouldn't classify as "large-scale" it can still contribute significantly towards renewable energy generation when implemented across many buildings.
As always though, detailed feasibility studies would need to be carried out before deciding on any potential locations for large scale Solar PV projects.
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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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 12th of May 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.
