Solar PV Analysis of Rome, Italy
The location in Rome, Lazio, Italy is quite good for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity that can be produced varies greatly throughout the year. In the summer and spring, you can expect to generate a lot more electricity than in the autumn and winter. Specifically, for every kilowatt of solar power installed, you could get about 7.53 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and 6.01 kilowatt-hours per day in spring. However, this drops down to about 3.65 kilowatt-hours per day in autumn and as low as 2.27 kilowatt-hours per day during winter.
To maximize your year-round solar power production at this location, it's recommended that your panels are tilted at an angle of 35 degrees facing south if they're installed on a fixed mount.
There might be some local factors that could potentially reduce your solar power production though - like weather conditions or environmental factors unique to Rome or Italy generally speaking.
For instance, pollution levels can affect how much sunlight reaches your panels; so if Rome experiences high pollution levels at certain times of the year then this could reduce your output somewhat during those periods.
Weather-wise - while Rome has lots of sunshine overall – there are rainy days too which would mean less sun reaching the panels on those days resulting in less electricity generated from them then also.
As far as prevention measures go: Regular cleaning of your panels will help ensure they're working efficiently and not being hindered by dust or dirt build-up; especially important considering potential pollution issues mentioned earlier.
Also consider installing a tracking system which moves the panels to follow the sun across its daily path through sky maximizing their exposure to sunlight throughout each day; particularly helpful during seasons when sunlight hours may be fewer due its lower position relative horizon such as autumn/winter periods here specifically.
Lastly remember having a good quality and appropriate size battery storage system installed alongside your solar PV can help store excess power generated during peak production times (like summer) for use later when production is lower (like winter).
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 Rome
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.8904, Longitude: 12.5126 (Rome, 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 Rome, Italy
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rome, Italy (Lat/Long 41.8904, 12.5126) 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 Rome, 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 Rome, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 34° 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 Rome, 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 Rome, 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 Rome, Italy
The topography around Rome, Italy is generally hilly and mountainous. Areas to the south of Rome are more likely to be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations due to their flat terrain and higher levels of sunshine. The area around Siena, located about 100 miles south of Rome, would be an ideal location as it has a combination of flat land and plenty of sun exposure. Additionally, areas along the coast in Lazio or Abruzzo could also provide ample space for large-scale solar PV projects.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 11th of July 2023
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.
