The location at Cologno Monzese, Lombardy, Italy is decent for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, its effectiveness varies with the seasons.
In simple terms, a solar PV system installed here will produce more electricity in some parts of the year than others. In summer and spring, when days are longer and the sun is high in the sky, you can expect to generate a lot of electricity - around 6.75 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.40 kWh/day in spring for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have installed.
On the other hand, during autumn and winter when days are shorter and there's less sunlight due to cloud cover or fog, your solar system will produce less electricity - around 3.12 kWh/day in autumn and just 1.85 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 39 degrees facing south.
As for local factors that could hinder your solar production: Cologno Monzese experiences a significant amount of overcast weather throughout much of autumn and winter which may reduce potential output from your panels during these seasons because clouds block sunlight from reaching them.
However, there are ways to mitigate this issue such as installing more efficient types of panels that perform better under low light conditions or using tracking mounts that allow your panels to follow the sun’s path across the sky improving their exposure to sunlight.
Additionally ensuring regular maintenance like cleaning off any dust or debris on top can help maintain efficiency as well as positioning them away from shade caused by trees or buildings if possible would also be beneficial.
In summary while it's not perfect due to seasonal changes affecting how much sun reaches it; with careful planning such as adjusting panel angles correctly along with considering local weather patterns, Cologno Monzese can be a viable location for solar energy production.
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 Cologno Monzese
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 45.5296, Longitude: 9.2737 (Cologno Monzese, 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 Cologno Monzese, Italy
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cologno Monzese, Italy (Lat/Long 45.5296, 9.2737) 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 Cologno Monzese, 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 Cologno Monzese, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29° South in Summer | 49° South in Autumn | 60° South in Winter | 38° 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 Cologno Monzese, 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 Cologno Monzese, 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 Cologno Monzese, Italy
Cologno Monzese is located in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. The topography of this area is primarily flat, as it lies in the Po Valley, with some gentle undulating hills. It is a highly urbanized and industrialized area, characterized by residential buildings, commercial centers and factories.
The climate in Lombardy region is continental; summers are hot and winters can be quite cold. The area gets a good amount of sunshine throughout the year which makes it suitable for solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar PV installations, non-residential areas such as industrial zones or unused agricultural lands would be most suitable due to availability of larger space without hindrance to residential life or natural habitats. Areas that are not shaded by tall buildings or trees would also be ideal.
Nearby areas that could potentially accommodate large-scale solar PV systems include:
1. Unused agricultural lands around Cologno Monzese: These areas usually have ample sun exposure and less obstruction from buildings or trees.
2. Industrial zones within Cologno Monzese: Industrial rooftops can often accommodate large-scale solar panel systems.
3. Outskirts of the city: Less populated areas on the outskirts may have more open space available for installation.
4. Existing infrastructure like parking lots, landfills etc.: These spaces can often support solar panels without requiring additional land use changes.
However, any plan for installing large scale Solar PV should consider local regulations related to renewable energy generation, land use permissions and environmental impact assessments before proceeding with implementation.
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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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 17th 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.




