Solar PV Analysis of Padova, Italy
Padova, Veneto, Italy, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, is a decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity produced by each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies with the seasons. In summer and spring, you can expect to generate a good amount of electricity - 6.87 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.34 kWh/day in spring. However, during autumn and winter, the output drops significantly to 3.20 kWh/day and 1.83 kWh/day respectively.
So if you're thinking about when's the best time to generate solar power at this location: it's definitely during summer and spring when sunlight hours are longer compared to other seasons.
To get the most out of your solar panel installation all year round at this location, it is recommended that panels be tilted at an angle of 39 degrees facing South which maximizes exposure to sunlight.
Now let's talk about potential local factors that could affect your solar production here:
Firstly, Italy experiences diverse weather conditions which include periods of heavy rain or snowfall especially during winter months which may cover panels reducing their efficiency temporarily until cleared off.
Secondly, Padova being a city might have buildings or other structures that could cast shadows on your panels reducing their efficiency too.
To counter these issues:
For environmental conditions like snow or rainfall - It would be beneficial if there were automated cleaning systems installed with your panels or manual clearing whenever possible after such weather events occur.
As for shadows from nearby structures - careful site assessment should be done prior before installing your panels so they can be placed where they'll receive maximum unobstructed sunlight throughout the day/year.
In conclusion: While Padova isn't perfect for year-round high-output solar energy generation due its seasonal variations in sunlight availability; by taking appropriate measures one can still ensure decent annual energy production from a fixed panel solar installation 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 Padova
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 45.4087, Longitude: 11.9001 (Padova, 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 Padova, Italy
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Padova, Italy (Lat/Long 45.4087, 11.9001) 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 Padova, 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 Padova, 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 | 59° 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 Padova, 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 Padova, 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 Padova, Italy
Padova, also known as Padua, is located in the Veneto region of Italy. The topography around the city is mostly flat with some slight undulations. To the north are the Euganean Hills and to the south, it extends into a plain that eventually leads to the Adriatic Sea.
This relatively flat terrain would be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations as there would be fewer obstacles blocking sunlight. However, considering other factors like land use and local climatic conditions will also be important.
The area south of Padova towards the sea could potentially be a good location for large-scale solar PV due to its open plains which provide ample space for installation. Similarly, areas around Euganean Hills might also offer potential locations if they are not too steep or heavily forested since these hills can provide an elevated platform for capturing more sunlight.
However, it's essential to note that Italy has strict regulations about land use especially concerning agricultural lands and protected regions (like regional parks). Therefore feasibility studies including environmental impact assessments will need to be conducted prior engaging in any such projects.
Also remember that northern Italy doesn't have as much sun exposure compared to southern parts of country so while solar energy production is possible here it may not be as efficient or cost-effective compared with other regions in Italy.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 5th of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
