Solar PV Analysis of Charneca De Caparica, Portugal
The location at Charneca de Caparica, Portugal is fairly good for generating solar energy all year round. The amount of electricity you can expect to generate from a solar panel changes with the seasons. In summer, each kilowatt of installed solar could generate about 7.69 kilowatt-hours per day while in spring it's around 6.41 kilowatt-hours per day which are pretty high numbers and would be ideal times to harvest solar energy.
During autumn and winter, the output drops to about 4.52 and 2.66 kWh/day respectively due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun angles but it's still feasible for power generation.
To get the most out of your panels throughout the year, they should be tilted at an angle of 33 degrees facing south if they're fixed installations - this will maximise their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year.
As far as environmental or weather factors that might affect production go, Portugal generally has clear skies which is great for solar power generation but there are some things that could potentially reduce efficiency such as dust or bird droppings on panels blocking sunlight; these would need regular cleaning off so they don't impede production.
Furthermore, although Portugal doesn't have extreme weather conditions often, heavy rain or hailstorms could cause damage to panels so preventative measures like sturdy mounting systems should be considered during installation process.
In summary: This location in Portugal is quite suitable for generating solar power all year round with summer and spring being especially productive periods; just remember some regular maintenance may be needed depending on local environmental factors.
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 Charneca De Caparica
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.6244, Longitude: -9.1921 (Charneca De Caparica, 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 Charneca De Caparica, Portugal
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Charneca De Caparica, Portugal (Lat/Long 38.6244, -9.1921) 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 Charneca De Caparica, 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 Charneca De Caparica, 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 Charneca De Caparica, 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 Charneca De Caparica, 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 Charneca De Caparica, Portugal
Charneca de Caparica is located in the Setúbal District of Portugal, near the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The topography is relatively flat with slight undulations, and it's characterized by a mix of urban areas and natural landscapes including forests and beaches.
The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, which makes it suitable for solar PV installations. Moreover, its coastal location ensures that it receives ample sunlight throughout the year.
As for specific locations for large-scale solar PV installations:
1. Unused or underutilized lands: These could be ideal locations as they would not interfere with existing land uses.
2. Industrial zones: Large industrial rooftops or unused spaces within industrial complexes could also be potential sites for solar panels installation without causing any disruption to local ecology or agriculture.
3. Agricultural lands: Dual-use solar farms can be installed on agricultural lands where farming activities can continue underneath or between rows of panels - this practice is known as agrivoltaics.
4. Near infrastructure facilities like airports or highways where there are large open spaces available that are not populated due to noise pollution.
However, before deciding on any location, proper feasibility studies need to be conducted considering factors such as sun exposure levels throughout the year (solar irradiance), proximity to grid connections, environmental impact assessments 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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 14th of June 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.
