Solar PV Analysis of Portici, Italy
Portici, Campania, Italy, situated at latitude 40.8189 and longitude 14.3358 in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation. The city experiences varying levels of solar potential throughout the year, with distinct seasonal patterns.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 7.74 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 6.15 kWh/day. Autumn sees a significant drop to 3.65 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.42 kWh/day.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the importance of considering seasonal variations when planning a solar installation in Portici. The location's Mediterranean climate contributes to these fluctuations, with long, sunny summers and shorter, cloudier winters.
Optimal Panel Orientation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Portici, Campania, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 34-degree angle facing south. This orientation allows for optimal sunlight capture throughout the year, balancing the high summer sun and lower winter sun angles.
Environmental Considerations
While Portici's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Proximity to Mount Vesuvius: Occasional ash emissions could potentially reduce panel efficiency.
- Coastal location: Salt air may accelerate corrosion of solar equipment.
To mitigate these issues, installers should use corrosion-resistant materials and implement regular cleaning schedules. Additionally, protective coatings can be applied to panels to guard against ash and salt deposits.
Conclusion
Despite some challenges, Portici's location offers good potential for solar PV energy generation, especially during spring and summer months. With proper installation techniques and maintenance, solar panels can provide a significant and sustainable energy source for this Italian coastal city.
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 Portici
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.8189, Longitude: 14.3358 (Portici, 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 Portici, Italy
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Portici, Italy (Lat/Long 40.8189, 14.3358) 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 Portici, 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 Portici, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Portici, 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 Portici, 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 Portici, Italy
Portici, located in southern Italy near Naples, sits in a diverse and dramatic landscape. The city itself is nestled along the coast of the Gulf of Naples, with the shoreline forming its western boundary. As you move inland from the coast, the terrain begins to rise gradually.
The most prominent feature of the area's topography is Mount Vesuvius, the famous active volcano that looms to the east of Portici. This imposing mountain dominates the skyline and has a significant impact on the surrounding landscape. The slopes of Vesuvius are steep and rugged, covered in volcanic soil and vegetation.
To the north and south of Portici, the land is relatively flat, forming part of the fertile Campanian plain. This area is known for its rich soil, a result of past volcanic activity, which has made it ideal for agriculture.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat plains to the north and south of Portici would likely be the most appropriate. These areas offer several advantages:
- They are relatively level, which simplifies installation and reduces costs associated with land preparation.
- They receive ample sunlight due to the lack of significant natural obstructions.
- They are more accessible than the mountainous regions, making construction and maintenance easier.
However, it's important to note that much of this flat land is currently used for agriculture, which could pose challenges for large-scale solar development. Any solar projects would need to carefully balance energy production with preserving valuable agricultural land.
The slopes of Mount Vesuvius, while receiving good sun exposure, are generally not suitable for large solar installations due to their steepness, instability, and protected status as part of Vesuvius National Park.
Ultimately, the most suitable locations for solar PV would likely be found in less agriculturally productive areas of the Campanian plain, or potentially on the rooftops of industrial buildings in and around Portici and neighboring cities. These options would allow for significant solar energy production while minimizing disruption to the local landscape and economy.
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: Tuesday 15th of October 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.
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