Modugno, Apulia, Italy, situated at latitude 41.0795 and longitude 16.7862, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation. This Southern Italian town experiences varying levels of solar potential throughout the year, with distinct seasonal patterns.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the prime season for solar energy production in Modugno, Apulia, with an impressive daily output of 7.24 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 5.91 kWh/day. Autumn sees a significant drop to 3.52 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 2.27 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Modugno's solar potential is most favorable from late spring through early autumn. During this period, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased energy production. However, the substantial difference between summer and winter outputs suggests that year-round reliance on solar energy may require careful planning and potentially supplementary power sources.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Modugno, Apulia, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 35 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Modugno's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are a few factors that could potentially impact efficiency:

• Dust and pollution: Being close to industrial areas and experiencing occasional Saharan dust events, panel surfaces may accumulate dirt, reducing efficiency.
• High summer temperatures: Excessive heat can slightly decrease panel efficiency.

To mitigate these issues, regular panel cleaning should be scheduled, especially after dust events. Additionally, ensuring proper ventilation behind the panels can help manage heat-related efficiency losses. Despite these minor challenges, Modugno remains a suitable location for solar PV installations, with its abundant sunshine and favorable latitude contributing to strong overall energy production potential.

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 Modugno

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.0795, Longitude: 16.7862 (Modugno, 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 Modugno, Italy

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Modugno, Italy (Lat/Long 41.0795, 16.7862) 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 Modugno, 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 Modugno, 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	44° 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 Modugno, 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 Modugno, 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 Modugno, Italy

The area surrounding Modugno, Italy, located at coordinates 41.0795 latitude and 16.7862 longitude, is characterized by a predominantly flat to gently rolling landscape. This region, situated in the southern Italian province of Bari, is part of the larger Puglia region known for its expansive plains and low-lying terrain. Modugno itself sits on a slight elevation, with the land gradually sloping down towards the Adriatic Sea to the east. The topography in this area is largely shaped by the Murge plateau, a vast limestone formation that extends across much of central Puglia. While the immediate vicinity of Modugno is relatively flat, the terrain becomes more undulating as you move further inland to the west and southwest. The landscape is dotted with olive groves, vineyards, and agricultural fields, reflecting the region's rich farming heritage. Small hills and gentle slopes are interspersed throughout the area, providing subtle variations in the otherwise level terrain. These subtle elevation changes contribute to the picturesque nature of the Puglian countryside without presenting significant obstacles to development or land use.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The flat to gently rolling terrain in the vicinity of Modugno offers numerous advantages for solar energy development. The expansive agricultural plains to the south and southeast of Modugno present ideal conditions for solar farms. These areas benefit from minimal shading, ample space for panel arrays, and easy access for construction and maintenance. The relatively level ground reduces the need for extensive land preparation, potentially lowering installation costs. Another promising area for large-scale solar PV would be the slightly elevated regions to the west of Modugno. These locations, while still maintaining a generally flat profile, may offer improved exposure to sunlight throughout the day due to their slight elevation. Additionally, the undulating nature of the terrain in this direction could potentially allow for creative panel placement to maximize solar capture. The coastal plains stretching eastward towards the Adriatic Sea also hold potential for solar development. These areas benefit from unobstructed horizons and high levels of solar irradiation due to their proximity to the sea. However, considerations regarding salt spray and potential environmental impacts on coastal ecosystems would need to be carefully evaluated. It's worth noting that while the topography around Modugno is generally favorable for solar PV installations, other factors such as land ownership, grid connectivity, and local regulations would also play crucial roles in determining the most suitable locations for large-scale solar projects in the 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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.