Solar PV Analysis of Bra, Italy
Bra, Piedmont, Italy, which is located in the Northern Temperate Zone, is a decent location for generating energy via solar PV panels year-round. The amount of electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt of installed solar varies by season: it's highest in Summer (6.65kWh/day), followed by Spring (5.37kWh/day), Autumn (3.23kWh/day) and lowest in Winter (2.17kWh/day).
This means that the most ideal times of year to generate solar at this location are during the Summer and Spring when there's more sunlight available for longer periods of time during the day compared to Autumn and especially Winter.
If you're installing fixed panel solar PV at this location, you'll want to tilt your panels at an angle of 39 degrees facing South to get the maximum amount of sunlight exposure throughout all seasons.
As for local factors that could impede solar production, it would be necessary to consider any potential environmental or weather conditions such as frequent cloud cover or fog that might limit sunlight exposure; topographical elements like tall buildings or trees that could cast shadows on your panels; and other local factors such as regulations or policies related with renewable energy installations.
To ensure greater energy production despite these potential challenges, some preventative measures could include choosing a site with minimal shading for your installation; regularly cleaning and maintaining your panels so they can operate at their maximum efficiency; installing additional equipment like trackers that move your panels along with the sun’s path across the sky if permitted by local regulations; among others.
Please note though that while these are general guidelines based on available data about Bra's latitude/longitude and average seasonal kWh output per kW installed, actual results may vary depending on specific site conditions and quality of equipment used among other factors. Therefore it would be advisable to consult with a professional installer who has experience working in this region before making any final decisions about going solar here.
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 Bra
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.6978, Longitude: 7.8513 (Bra, 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 39° South in Bra, Italy
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bra, Italy (Lat/Long 44.6978, 7.8513) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Bra, 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 Bra, Italy. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28° South in Summer | 48° South in Autumn | 59° South in Winter | 37° 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 Bra, 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 Bra, 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 Bra, Italy
Bra, Italy is located in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. The topography of this area is characterized by a mix of flat plains, rolling hills and mountainous regions. The city itself is on relatively flat ground, surrounded by more hilly terrain.
The areas most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations would be the flat plains and gently rolling hills. These areas offer large expanses of land with unobstructed sunlight, which is ideal for solar energy generation. Additionally, these regions are typically used for agriculture, meaning there may already be infrastructure in place that could support a solar installation.
However, it's important to note that suitability also depends on factors like local climate conditions (amount of annual sunshine), land use regulations and availability of grid connectivity. For example, even though mountainous areas might have plenty of sunshine they may not be suitable due to difficulty in installation or lack access to power transmission infrastructure.
As Bra lies within the "Langhe" wine region - an area known for its vineyards - it would also be crucial to ensure that any potential solar PV development does not interfere with these viticultural activities which are culturally significant and economically important for this region.
Lastly, rooftop installations can also present a viable option especially within urban settlements where space might be at premium but structures exist that can host such systems without additional need for land resources.
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: Thursday 29th of February 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.
