Solar PV Analysis of Attard, Malta
The location at Attard, Malta is pretty good for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from a kW of installed solar varies with the seasons, but it's highest in the summer when you can expect about 7.96 kWh/day per kW. In autumn and winter, the output drops to around 4.21kWh/day and 3.32kWh/day respectively due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity. However, in spring it jumps back up to around 6.65kWh/day per kW.
This means that while summer is clearly the best time for solar energy production at this location, there's still a meaningful amount of energy to be had during other times of the year too - especially spring.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 31 degrees South will help maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system.
As far as local factors that could impact solar production go; Malta generally has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers which is favourable for solar power generation but occasional dust storms might reduce sunlight intensity temporarily affecting efficiency levels slightly.
To counter this potential issue when installing your system, you may want to consider incorporating some sort of cleaning mechanism or schedule regular maintenance checks/cleaning services to keep panels free from dust or debris build-up that could hinder their performance over time.
In summary: This spot in Attard is quite suitable for producing renewable energy via Solar PV throughout most parts of the year due its geographical position and weather conditions – just remember if you’re considering installing here – tilt those panels towards south by about 31 degrees!
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 48 locations across Malta. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Malta by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Attard
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.8918, Longitude: 14.4243 (Attard, Malta), 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 31° South in Attard, Malta
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Attard, Malta (Lat/Long 35.8918, 14.4243) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Attard, Malta
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 Attard, Malta. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20° South in Summer | 40° South in Autumn | 50° South in Winter | 28° 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 Attard, Malta
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 Attard, Malta.
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 Attard, Malta
Attard is located in the central part of Malta, which is a relatively flat island with some gentle hills. The highest point on the island only reaches about 253 meters above sea level. Attard itself sits at an elevation of approximately 56 meters.
The topography around Attard consists mainly of urban areas and agricultural fields, with some rocky outcroppings and low-lying hills. There are also several open spaces and parks in the area.
Considering solar PV installations, large-scale projects would require substantial open space that receives a good amount of sunlight throughout the year. Given this requirement, potential suitable areas for such projects could be:
1) Unused or underutilized agricultural fields: These often provide ample space and receive plenty of sunlight.
2) Rooftops: In densely populated urban areas like Attard, rooftops can offer significant opportunities for solar panel installation.
3) Brownfield sites: Any former industrial sites or other underused land could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production.
However, any potential site would need to undergo a detailed assessment taking into account factors like sun exposure (solar irradiance), land use restrictions, proximity to power grids and environmental impact before being deemed suitable for large-scale solar PV installation.
Malta solar PV Stats as a country
Malta ranks 73rd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 196 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 6.50% of Malta's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 12th in the world). Each year Malta is generating 373 Watts from solar PV per capita (Malta ranks 8th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Malta?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Malta. The government offers a number of financial incentives and grants to encourage businesses to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include the Renewable Energy Investment Scheme (REIS), which provides up to €50,000 per project for eligible investments in renewable energy technologies; the Solar Photovoltaic Self-Consumption Scheme (SPVSCS), which provides a one-off grant of up to €20,000 per kWp installed; and the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme, which pays businesses for any excess electricity generated from their solar installations that is fed back into the grid.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Malta? 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: Friday 12th of July 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.
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.
