Corroios, Setúbal, Portugal, situated at latitude 38.6446 and longitude -9.1434, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This area in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant variations in solar output across different seasons, presenting both opportunities and challenges for solar PV installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location demonstrates strong solar potential, particularly during the summer months. With an average daily output of 7.69 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity in summer, this season proves to be the most productive for solar energy generation. Spring follows closely, yielding 6.41 kWh/day, making it the second-best season for solar production.

Autumn sees a moderate decline in solar output, with 4.52 kWh/day. Winter, as expected, shows the lowest production at 2.66 kWh/day. Despite this seasonal variation, the location maintains a respectable year-round solar energy potential.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations in Corroios, Setúbal, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 33 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated considering the location's latitude, the Earth's elliptical orbit, and daily solar elevation angles, weighted by NASA's solar irradiance data.

Environmental Considerations

While Corroios generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

• Coastal proximity: Being close to the Atlantic Ocean, salt air corrosion could potentially affect solar panel efficiency over time.
• Urban air pollution: As part of the Lisbon metropolitan area, air pollution might slightly reduce solar irradiance reaching the panels.

To mitigate these factors, installers should consider using corrosion-resistant materials and protective coatings on solar panels and mounting systems. Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help maintain optimal performance in the face of these environmental challenges.

Overall, Corroios presents a highly suitable location for solar PV installations, with strong potential for energy generation throughout the year, particularly from spring through autumn. The moderate winter output, while lower, still contributes to a robust annual solar energy yield.

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 Corroios

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.6446, Longitude: -9.1434 (Corroios, 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 Corroios, Portugal

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Corroios, Portugal (Lat/Long 38.6446, -9.1434) 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 Corroios, 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 Corroios, 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 Corroios, 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 Corroios, Portugal.

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 Corroios, Portugal

Corroios, a parish in the municipality of Seixal, Portugal, is situated in a region characterized by gently rolling terrain. The area surrounding Corroios features a mix of low-lying plains and modest hills, with elevations generally ranging from sea level to around 100 meters above sea level. The topography is influenced by its proximity to the Tagus River estuary, which has shaped the landscape over millennia. To the north and east of Corroios, the land gradually rises, forming a series of small hills and plateaus. These elevated areas offer panoramic views of the surrounding region and the Tagus River in the distance. The southern and western parts of Corroios are relatively flatter, with some areas near sea level, particularly as one approaches the river's edge.

Potential 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 gently sloping terrain to the north and east of Corroios presents promising opportunities for solar energy development. These areas benefit from good sun exposure throughout the day and minimal shading from natural features or buildings. The elevated plateaus and hillsides in these directions would be particularly well-suited for solar PV farms. They offer the advantage of reduced interference from morning and evening shadows, maximizing the potential for solar energy capture. Additionally, these locations typically have lower agricultural value, making them more suitable for alternative land uses such as renewable energy production. Areas to the south and west, while flatter and potentially easier to develop, may face challenges due to their proximity to urban development and possible wetland areas near the river. However, some of these locations could still be suitable for smaller-scale solar installations or rooftop solar projects on existing buildings. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV development would require careful environmental impact assessments and consideration of local regulations. The region's proximity to the Tagus River estuary, an important ecological area, means that environmental concerns would need to be thoroughly addressed in the planning and implementation of any significant solar energy projects.

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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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.