Marsaxlokk, Malta, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation. This coastal village, located at 35.8385° N latitude and 14.5483° E longitude, experiences varying levels of solar potential throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Marsaxlokk follows a predictable pattern aligned with the changing seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily average of 7.96 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 6.65 kWh/day. Autumn sees a significant drop to 4.21 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.32 kWh/day. This seasonal variation indicates that Marsaxlokk is particularly well-suited for solar energy production during the warmer months, from late spring through early autumn. However, the location still maintains a respectable output even during the cooler seasons, making it a viable option for year-round solar energy generation.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize the year-round solar energy production in Marsaxlokk, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 31 degrees facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude, the Earth's elliptical orbit, and seasonal variations in solar elevation.

Environmental Considerations

While Marsaxlokk presents favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Coastal location: Being a seaside village, Marsaxlokk may experience increased salt spray in the air. This can potentially lead to corrosion of solar panel components over time. 2. Dust and sand: The Mediterranean climate can result in dusty conditions, which may accumulate on solar panels and reduce their efficiency. To mitigate these potential issues, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Use corrosion-resistant materials for mounting systems and panel frames
• Apply protective coatings to vulnerable components
• Install panels at a slight angle to facilitate natural cleaning by rainwater
• Implement a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule
• Consider installing a monitoring system to detect any unexpected drops in performance

By addressing these environmental factors during installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in Marsaxlokk can maintain high levels of energy production throughout the year, taking full advantage of the location's favorable solar conditions.

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 Marsaxlokk

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.8385, Longitude: 14.5483 (Marsaxlokk, 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 Marsaxlokk, Malta

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Marsaxlokk, Malta (Lat/Long 35.8385, 14.5483) 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 Marsaxlokk, 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 Marsaxlokk, 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 Marsaxlokk, 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 Marsaxlokk, Malta.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Marsaxlokk, Malta

The area around Marsaxlokk, Malta, is characterized by a mix of coastal and hilly terrain. Marsaxlokk itself is a small fishing village located on the southeastern coast of Malta, situated in a natural harbor. The immediate surroundings of the village are relatively flat, with gentle slopes leading up from the shoreline.

As you move inland from Marsaxlokk, the landscape becomes more varied. To the north and west, the terrain gradually rises into a series of low hills and plateaus. These elevated areas are typical of Malta's interior, featuring a mix of rocky outcrops, agricultural fields, and scattered vegetation. The hills are generally not very high, with most elevations ranging between 50 to 150 meters above sea level.

To the south and east of Marsaxlokk, the coastline is more rugged, with limestone cliffs and small bays punctuating the shoreline. This area is part of the Delimara Peninsula, which forms the southern edge of Marsaxlokk Bay.

Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

The most suitable locations for solar PV would be the relatively flat or gently sloping areas inland from Marsaxlokk. These areas offer several advantages:

• They receive ample sunlight throughout the year, as Malta has a Mediterranean climate with many clear, sunny days.
• The terrain is easier to develop and maintain compared to steeper or more rugged areas.
• These locations are generally away from the most densely populated coastal zones, potentially reducing conflicts with residential or tourist areas.

Specific areas that might be considered include the agricultural lands and open spaces between Marsaxlokk and the towns of Żejtun and Għaxaq to the northwest. These areas have a good balance of flat and gently sloping terrain that could accommodate large solar arrays.

However, it's important to note that Malta is a small, densely populated island with limited available land. Any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider land use conflicts, environmental impacts, and integration with the existing power grid. Additionally, the visual impact on the landscape would be a significant factor, given Malta's reliance on tourism and the importance of preserving its cultural and natural heritage.

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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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.