Solar PV Analysis of Altamura, Italy
The location at Altamura, Apulia, Italy is fairly good for generating energy through solar PV panels year-round. However, the effectiveness varies with each season due to changes in sunlight exposure.
In summer, you can expect the highest electricity output at 7.49kWh per day for every kW of installed solar because there are more hours of daylight and the sun is often out in full force. Spring also offers a decent amount of energy generation at 5.84kWh per day for every kW installed.
On the other hand, Autumn and Winter see a significant decrease in electricity output due to shorter days and less intense sunlight - with Autumn producing about 3.51kWh/day and Winter only around 2.45kWh/day per kW installed.
For maximum total annual production from your solar PV system in this location, it's recommended that you tilt your panels at an angle of 35 degrees facing South if they're fixed installations.
As far as potential local factors that could interfere with solar production go, Altamura has a Mediterranean climate which means it experiences hot summers and mild winters but also regular rainfall throughout the year which could reduce sunlight exposure on cloudy or rainy days.
To mitigate these issues when installing your solar system:
1) Consider using panels designed to perform well under different weather conditions including rain.
2) Regularly clean and maintain your panels to ensure they're free from dust or debris which could block sunlight.
3) If possible, install tracking systems that allow your panels to follow the sun's path across the sky for maximum exposure rather than being fixed in one position.
4) Ensure there are no large obstacles such as trees or buildings nearby blocking direct sunlight onto your panel surface.
So overall while not perfect all-year round due to seasonal variations in weather conditions affecting light availability – especially during autumn/winter months – Altamura does offer reasonable potential for harnessing solar power effectively particularly during spring/summer seasons when light availability is at its highest.
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 338 locations across Italy. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Italy by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Altamura
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.8247, Longitude: 16.5505 (Altamura, Italy), 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 35° South in Altamura, Italy
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Altamura, Italy (Lat/Long 40.8247, 16.5505) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Altamura, Italy
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 Altamura, Italy. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 55° South in Winter | 33° 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 Altamura, Italy
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 Altamura, Italy.
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 Altamura, Italy
Altamura, Italy is located in the region of Apulia, also known as Puglia. The topography around Altamura is marked by a largely flat and gently rolling landscape with occasional hills. This area is part of the Murge plateau characterized by karst topography with limestone bedrock, sinkholes and caves.
The climate in this region tends to be Mediterranean with hot summers and mild winters, which would make it suitable for solar PV installations. Given that the terrain is relatively flat or gently sloping, there are likely many locations that could accommodate large-scale solar PV installations.
However, specific suitability would depend on other factors such as local land use regulations (e.g., protected areas), proximity to power transmission lines or grid connections, soil stability for installation of panels and infrastructure etc.
Areas with open fields without shading from trees or buildings would be ideal for maximum sun exposure throughout the day. Also consider lands which are less productive for agriculture or not currently being used optimally - turning these into solar farms can provide an alternative source of income while also contributing to renewable energy production.
It's advisable to conduct a detailed site assessment involving experts in renewable energy development before deciding on any particular location for large-scale solar PV installation.
Italy solar PV Stats as a country
Italy ranks 6th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 22,698 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 8.30% of Italy's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 8th in the world). Each year Italy is generating 381 Watts from solar PV per capita (Italy ranks 7th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Italy?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Italy. The Italian government offers a range of financial incentives and tax credits for businesses that install solar energy systems. These include the Conto Energia scheme, which provides feed-in tariffs for electricity generated from renewable sources; the Superbonus 110%, which allows businesses to deduct up to 110% of their investment in renewable energy systems from their taxes; and the Ecobonus 65%, which provides a 65% tax deduction on investments in renewable energy systems. Additionally, businesses may be eligible for grants or loans from regional governments or other organizations.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Italy? 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 12th of July 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.
