Solar PV Analysis of Trapani, Italy
Trapani, Italy, situated at latitude 38.0153° N and longitude 12.532° E, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This coastal city in Sicily experiences varying levels of solar output across the seasons, with notable peaks and troughs.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 7.70 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 6.33 kWh/day. These warmer months, characterized by longer daylight hours and clearer skies, provide ideal conditions for solar energy production.
The output dips considerably during autumn and winter. Autumn sees a moderate decline to 3.76 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 2.80 kWh/day. This seasonal variation is typical for locations in the Northern Temperate Zone, where shorter days and increased cloud cover during colder months affect solar efficiency.
Optimizing Solar Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Trapani, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 32-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the sun's changing position across seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While Trapani's climate is generally favorable for solar energy, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Coastal salt spray: Being a seaside location, salt in the air can potentially corrode solar equipment over time.
- Occasional dust storms: Saharan dust can sometimes reach Sicily, temporarily reducing panel efficiency.
To mitigate these issues, installers should use corrosion-resistant materials and implement regular cleaning schedules. Additionally, investing in panels with anti-reflective coatings can help maintain efficiency even when dust accumulates between cleanings.
Overall, Trapani's location offers excellent potential for solar energy production, particularly from spring through autumn. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in this area can provide a reliable and sustainable source of electricity throughout the year.
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 278 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 Trapani
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.0153, Longitude: 12.532 (Trapani, 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 32° South in Trapani, Italy
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Trapani, Italy (Lat/Long 38.0153, 12.532) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Trapani, 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 Trapani, Italy. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 52° South in Winter | 30° 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 Trapani, 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 Trapani, 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 Trapani, Italy
The topography around Trapani, Italy, is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes both coastal and inland features. Trapani itself is situated on a low-lying peninsula that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea, with the city center being relatively flat. The coastline near Trapani is known for its beautiful beaches and shallow waters.
As you move inland from Trapani, the terrain gradually becomes more varied. To the east and southeast, the land begins to rise, forming rolling hills and small mountains. This hilly region is part of the larger Sicilian interior, which is known for its rugged beauty and agricultural landscapes, including vineyards and olive groves.
To the north of Trapani, you'll find Monte Erice, a prominent mountain that rises to about 750 meters (2,460 feet) above sea level. This mountain is home to the historic town of Erice, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.
The southern part of the Trapani province includes some flat coastal plains, which gradually give way to more hilly terrain as you move further inland. This area is known for its salt pans, which are shallow pools used for sea salt production.
Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV
When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Trapani, several factors come into play. The ideal areas would have the following characteristics:
1. Flat or gently sloping terrain: The coastal plains to the south of Trapani would be well-suited for solar PV installations. These areas offer large, open spaces with minimal shading from geographical features.
2. Good sun exposure: Sicily, in general, receives abundant sunshine throughout the year, making it an excellent location for solar energy production. Areas away from the immediate coast might be preferable to avoid potential sea mist or coastal clouds.
3. Proximity to existing infrastructure: Locations near existing power lines and roads would be advantageous for easier connection to the grid and maintenance access. The areas surrounding smaller towns in the Trapani province might offer good opportunities in this regard.
4. Low agricultural value: While much of the land around Trapani is used for agriculture, there may be less productive areas that could be repurposed for solar farms without significantly impacting food production.
5. Minimal environmental impact: Care should be taken to avoid areas of high ecological importance or natural beauty. The inland areas, away from the coast and major tourist attractions, might be more suitable from this perspective.
Considering these factors, the most promising areas for large-scale solar PV installations would likely be found in the southern part of the Trapani province, in the flatter areas away from the immediate coastline. These regions offer a good balance of suitable terrain, excellent sun exposure, and potentially available land that is not prime agricultural or tourist real estate.
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: Wednesday 2nd of October 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 2nd of October 2024
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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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