Solar PV Analysis of Pembroke, Malta
Pembroke, Malta, situated at 35.9345°N latitude and 14.4759°E longitude, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Mediterranean town experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons, making it an interesting case study for renewable energy implementation.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy output in Pembroke follows a predictable pattern aligned with the Northern Temperate Zone's seasonal changes. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.96 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 6.65 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a significant drop to 4.21 kWh/day/kW, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.32 kWh/day/kW.
This seasonal variation indicates that Pembroke is particularly well-suited for solar energy generation during the warmer months, from late spring through early autumn. However, the relatively mild winters in Malta still allow for meaningful energy production year-round, albeit at reduced levels.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Pembroke, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 31-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the town's latitude and the sun's changing position throughout the year, ensuring the best possible exposure to sunlight across all seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While Pembroke's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Dust and salt spray: Given its coastal location, panels may accumulate salt deposits and dust, potentially reducing efficiency.
- Occasional strong winds: Malta can experience high winds, particularly during winter storms.
To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning of solar panels is recommended to remove salt and dust buildup. Additionally, ensuring sturdy mounting systems that can withstand strong winds is crucial for long-term performance and safety.
Overall, Pembroke's location in Malta provides an excellent opportunity for solar PV energy generation, with particularly high potential during the summer months. While winter output is lower, the year-round production capabilities make it a viable option for sustainable energy solutions in this Mediterranean setting.
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 Pembroke
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.9345, Longitude: 14.4759 (Pembroke, 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 Pembroke, Malta
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pembroke, Malta (Lat/Long 35.9345, 14.4759) 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 Pembroke, 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 Pembroke, 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 Pembroke, 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 Pembroke, 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 Pembroke, Malta
The topography around Pembroke, Malta is characterized by a mixture of coastal and inland features typical of the Maltese landscape. Pembroke itself is located on the northeastern coast of Malta, situated on a rocky promontory that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea. The immediate coastline is marked by rugged limestone cliffs and small rocky coves, with the land gently rising as you move inland.
Moving away from the coast, the terrain becomes more undulating, with low hills and shallow valleys. The landscape is predominantly made up of limestone bedrock, which has been weathered over time to create a series of plateaus and gentle slopes. Much of the natural vegetation in this area has been altered by human activity, with urban development and agricultural land use being common.
To the south and west of Pembroke, the land gradually rises towards the center of the island, forming part of Malta's central ridge. This area is characterized by a series of low hills and plateaus, interspersed with shallow valleys. The highest point on Malta, Ta' Dmejrek, is located several kilometers to the southwest of Pembroke, reaching an elevation of approximately 253 meters above sea level.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. The ideal locations for solar farms would be relatively flat areas with good sun exposure and minimal shading. Given the topography of Malta, some of the gently sloping hillsides and plateaus to the south and west of Pembroke could potentially be suitable.
Areas that are already somewhat degraded or have limited agricultural value might be preferable for solar development. Some of the abandoned or underutilized quarry sites in the region could also be considered, as they often provide large, open spaces with good sun exposure. However, it's important to note that Malta is a small, densely populated island with limited open space, so any large-scale solar development would need to be carefully planned and balanced with other land use needs and environmental considerations.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 11th of October 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
