Solar PV Analysis of San Gwann, Malta
San Gwann, Saint John, Malta, is a fairly good location for generating energy through solar panels throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced varies with the seasons. In summer, you can expect to generate about 7.96 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels. In autumn, this drops to about 4.21 kWh/day per kW; in winter it's around 3.32 kWh/day per kW; and in spring it rises again to around 6.65 kWh/day per kW.
This means that the best time of year for generating solar energy at this location is during the summer and spring months when there are more hours of sunlight and less cloud coverage.
If you're installing fixed solar panels at this location, tilting them at an angle of 31 degrees facing South will help maximize their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year, thus increasing their overall production.
As far as environmental or local factors that could hinder solar production in San Gwann, Saint John, these could include things like buildings or trees casting shadows on your panels or dust and dirt covering them up over time which reduces their efficiency.
To prevent these issues from affecting your energy production too much:
1) Try to position your panels so they are not shaded by nearby structures or vegetation during peak sunlight hours.
2) Regularly clean your panels so they can absorb as much sunlight as possible.
3) Consider using micro-inverters instead of a central inverter system if shading is unavoidable on part of your panel array - this way only affected sections will see reduced output rather than entire system.
4) If high winds are common in San Gwann area due its coastal nature - ensure proper installation methods are used with sturdy mounting equipment capable resisting such conditions.
In conclusion: While there may be some challenges related to weather variations and potential obstructions from surroundings, with the right setup and maintenance, San Gwann, Saint John, Malta is a very viable location for solar energy production.
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 San Gwann
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.9099, Longitude: 14.4748 (San Gwann, 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 San Gwann, Malta
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in San Gwann, Malta (Lat/Long 35.9099, 14.4748) 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 San Gwann, 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 San Gwann, 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 San Gwann, 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 San Gwann, 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 San Gwann, Malta
San Gwann, Malta is characterized by a hilly landscape with valleys and plains. The region has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters which makes it an ideal location for solar PV installations.
The best areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be the flat plains or valley regions that receive ample sunlight throughout the year. These include areas like Ta' Qali National Park to the west of San Gwann, or Ħal Farruġ to the south. These locations have large open spaces that could accommodate extensive solar panel arrays.
However, considering Malta's high population density and limited land area, rooftop solar installations on residential and commercial buildings in San Gwann itself could also be effective. Utilizing building surfaces can help overcome land constraints while also reducing transmission losses by generating electricity close to where it is consumed.
It's important to note that any proposed installation should comply with local planning policies and environmental considerations such as visual impact on landscapes or potential effects on local wildlife habitats.
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 1st of March 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.
