Cabras, Sardinia, Italy, located at latitude 39.9301 and longitude 8.5261, presents a varied landscape for solar energy production throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy potential.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Cabras, Sardinia, with an impressive daily output of 7.65 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.23 kWh per day. These seasons offer ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production. In contrast, autumn and winter see a substantial decrease in solar energy potential. Autumn produces 3.81 kWh per day, while winter drops to a mere 2.50 kWh daily. This significant seasonal variation highlights the importance of careful system design to ensure year-round energy sufficiency.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed solar panel installations in Cabras, Sardinia, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and accounts for the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Cabras generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider: 1. Dust and salt: Given its coastal location, salt spray and dust accumulation on panels could potentially reduce efficiency over time. 2. Occasional strong winds: The area may experience periods of high winds, which could pose a risk to panel stability if not properly secured. To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning of panels is recommended to remove salt and dust buildup. Additionally, using sturdy mounting systems designed to withstand high winds can ensure the longevity and efficiency of the solar installation. In conclusion, Cabras presents a good location for solar energy production, particularly during spring and summer months. With proper installation techniques and regular maintenance, a solar PV system in this location can provide significant energy output throughout the year, despite the 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 278 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 Cabras

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.9301, Longitude: 8.5261 (Cabras, 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 34° South in Cabras, Italy

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cabras, Italy (Lat/Long 39.9301, 8.5261) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Cabras, 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 Cabras, Italy. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
24° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	54° South in Winter	32° 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 Cabras, 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 Cabras, Italy.

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 Cabras, Italy

The area surrounding Cabras, Italy, located on the western coast of Sardinia, is characterized by a diverse and interesting topography. This region features a mix of coastal plains, wetlands, and gentle hills, creating a unique landscape that transitions from sea to land. Near the coast, where Cabras is situated, the terrain is predominantly flat, with expansive lagoons and marshlands dominating the immediate vicinity. The Cabras Lagoon, one of the largest in Sardinia, stretches out to the west of the town, creating a vast wetland ecosystem. This low-lying area is punctuated by small islands and sandbanks, with the shoreline gently sloping towards the sea. As one moves inland from Cabras, the landscape gradually begins to undulate. Low hills start to emerge, creating a rolling countryside typical of much of Sardinia's interior. These hills are generally not very steep, with gentle slopes that are often cultivated with olive groves, vineyards, and other Mediterranean crops. To the east and southeast of Cabras, the terrain becomes more pronounced, with higher hills and small mountains appearing on the horizon. This area marks the beginning of Sardinia's central mountainous region, though the immediate vicinity of Cabras remains relatively low-lying.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby Cabras for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The most suitable locations would likely be found in the gently sloping hillsides to the east and southeast of Cabras. These areas offer several advantages for solar PV development: Firstly, the elevated terrain provides better exposure to sunlight throughout the day, maximizing the potential for solar energy generation. The gentle slopes also allow for easier installation and maintenance of solar panels compared to steeper mountainous regions. Secondly, these areas are typically less agriculturally productive than the fertile coastal plains, potentially reducing land-use conflicts. Many of these hillsides are currently used for grazing or are covered in scrubland, making them more readily available for alternative uses like solar farms. Additionally, the slightly higher elevation of these sites may benefit from clearer skies and less coastal fog or mist, which can sometimes affect the immediate coastal areas around Cabras. It's important to note, however, that any large-scale solar PV development would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, particularly given the ecological significance of the nearby wetlands and the cultural importance of the Sardinian landscape. Proper planning and environmental assessments would be crucial to ensure sustainable implementation of solar energy projects in this region.

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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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.