Solar Energy Potential in Safi, Malta

The coastal town of Safi in Malta, situated at 35.824°N latitude and 14.4799°E longitude, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this Mediterranean site experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production. Solar panel performance in Safi fluctuates significantly across the seasons. Summer months yield the highest energy output, with an impressive 7.97 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.62 kWh/day. Autumn sees a considerable drop to 4.16 kWh/day, while winter produces the least at 3.25 kWh/day.

Optimal Solar Generation Periods

The most favorable time for solar energy production in Safi spans from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. However, it's worth noting that even during the less productive winter months, Safi still receives a reasonable amount of sunlight, allowing for continued energy generation.

Panel Installation Considerations

For maximum year-round energy production, fixed solar panels in Safi should be tilted at a 31-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle accounts for the town's latitude and seasonal sun path variations, ensuring the panels capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year.

Environmental Factors and Mitigation Strategies

While Safi's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider: 1. Dust and salt spray: Being a coastal location, salt spray from the Mediterranean Sea can accumulate on solar panels, potentially reducing their efficiency. Additionally, dust from nearby arid areas can settle on the panels. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate these issues. 2. High temperatures: Malta's hot summer climate can slightly decrease solar panel efficiency. Choosing heat-resistant panels and ensuring proper ventilation during installation can help maintain optimal performance. 3. Occasional strong winds: Although rare, strong winds can pose a risk to solar installations. Robust mounting systems and professional installation are crucial to withstand such weather events. By addressing these factors during the planning and installation phases, solar energy systems in Safi can achieve high levels of efficiency and durability, making the most 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 Safi

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.824, Longitude: 14.4799 (Safi, 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 Safi, Malta

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Safi, Malta (Lat/Long 35.824, 14.4799) 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 Safi, 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 Safi, 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 Safi, 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 Safi, 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 Safi, Malta

The topography around Safi, Malta, is characterized by gently rolling limestone hills and plateaus typical of the southern region of the island. This area, located in the southeastern part of Malta, features a landscape that gradually slopes towards the Mediterranean Sea. The terrain is predominantly composed of low-lying hills and shallow valleys, with elevations generally ranging from sea level to about 50 meters above sea level. The immediate vicinity of Safi is relatively flat, with some minor undulations in the landscape. As you move slightly inland, the terrain becomes more varied, with small hills and shallow depressions forming a patchwork of agricultural fields and natural vegetation. The coastline near Safi is marked by low cliffs and rocky shores, with some areas featuring small inlets and bays.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would be relatively flat, open spaces with minimal shading from natural or man-made structures. Based on these criteria, the following areas near Safi could be potential candidates for solar PV development: The agricultural lands to the north and northwest of Safi offer expansive, open areas with minimal obstructions. These gently sloping fields receive ample sunlight throughout the day and could potentially accommodate large solar arrays without significant terrain modifications. The plateau areas to the west and southwest of Safi also present favorable conditions for solar PV installations. These elevated, flat surfaces benefit from unobstructed exposure to sunlight and could provide ideal locations for solar farms. It's worth noting that any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, land use regulations, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure. Additionally, the visual impact on the landscape and potential effects on local agriculture would need to be taken into account when selecting specific sites for development.

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

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.