Solar PV Analysis of Carcavelos, Portugal
The location at Carcavelos, Lisbon, Portugal is generally good for generating energy through solar power year-round. However, the amount of electricity generated varies with each season due to changes in sunlight intensity and duration.
In simple terms, you can expect to generate the most electricity in summer with an average of 7.69 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. Spring follows closely behind with an average generation of 6.41 kWh/day per kW installed.
During autumn, the output drops a bit to about 4.52 kWh/day per kW installed due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity as compared to summer and spring.
Winter sees the least production with an output of approximately 2.66 kWh/day per kW installed because days are shortest during this season and sunlight is at its weakest.
To maximize total yearly solar energy production at this location, it's ideal to tilt your solar panels at a 33-degree angle facing south if you're installing fixed panels - this position captures the most sunlight over the course of a year.
As for local factors that might affect solar production in Carcavelos: Portugal has a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot summers and mild winters which makes it suitable for solar energy generation overall; however, occasional rainy periods or cloudy days could reduce output temporarily but not significantly enough over time as these are usually short-lived episodes interspersed between long sunny periods.
In terms of topography, Carcavelos is located near sea level so there isn't any significant elevation or mountainous terrain that would obstruct sunlight reaching the panels.
For better efficiency and prolonged lifespan of your system despite these factors: ensure regular cleaning/maintenance since dust or debris accumulation on panels can impede their performance; consider installating tracking systems that move panels according to sun's position throughout day for maximum exposure; also take care during installation not place them in areas where they might be shaded by trees or buildings.
So, with proper planning and maintenance, Carcavelos is a pretty good spot for solar energy production year-round.
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 179 locations across Portugal. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Portugal by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Carcavelos
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.6855, Longitude: -9.3336 (Carcavelos, Portugal), 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 33° South in Carcavelos, Portugal
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Carcavelos, Portugal (Lat/Long 38.6855, -9.3336) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Carcavelos, Portugal
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 Carcavelos, Portugal. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 43° South in Autumn | 54° South in Winter | 31° 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 Carcavelos, Portugal
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 Carcavelos, Portugal.
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 Carcavelos, Portugal
Carcavelos, Portugal is located along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The topography is relatively flat with some gently rolling hills. The area has a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine throughout the year, making it a suitable location for solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas would be most ideal to allow for maximum exposure to sunlight and ease of installation. In this context, inland areas with less population density and fewer buildings could be more suitable.
Areas like Oeiras or Barcarena to the east of Carcavelos might be potential locations considering they have larger expanses of open land compared to the coastal regions which are more densely populated.
However, any decision on specific sites would need further detailed study considering various factors such as land availability, local regulations, grid connectivity and environmental impact among others.
Portugal solar PV Stats as a country
Portugal ranks 32nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,801 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 3.40% of Portugal's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 23rd in the world). Each year Portugal is generating 174 Watts from solar PV per capita (Portugal ranks 29th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Portugal?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Portugal. The Portuguese government offers a range of financial incentives and tax breaks for businesses that invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include grants, loans, and tax credits. Additionally, the government has set up a feed-in tariff system which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar power. This helps to make investing in solar energy more attractive to businesses.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Portugal? 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: Sunday 17th 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.
