Solar Energy Potential in Entroncamento, Santarém, Portugal

Entroncamento, Santarém, Portugal, located at latitude 39.4675 and longitude -8.4645, offers a favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy output, which is typical for regions at similar latitudes. The solar energy potential in Entroncamento is most robust during the summer months, with an impressive average daily output of 7.87 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.02 kWh/day. These seasons present ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production, with longer days and more direct sunlight. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in solar output, producing an average of 4.28 kWh/day. While this represents a noticeable drop from the peak summer months, it still offers substantial energy generation potential. Winter experiences the lowest solar energy production, with an average of 2.43 kWh/day. Despite this reduction, Entroncamento's relatively mild winter climate still allows for consistent, albeit reduced, solar energy generation throughout the colder months.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Entroncamento, Santarém, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 34 degrees facing south. This optimal angle has been calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Entroncamento's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, with few significant impediments. However, there are some factors to consider: 1. Occasional dust storms from the Sahara Desert can reduce panel efficiency. 2. Infrequent hailstorms may pose a risk to solar panel integrity. To mitigate these potential issues, consider implementing the following preventative measures:

• Install durable, hail-resistant solar panels
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dust and debris
• Use anti-soiling coatings on panel surfaces to minimize dust accumulation
• Consider a tracking system to maximize energy capture, especially during lower production periods

By taking these precautions, solar energy systems in Entroncamento can maintain high efficiency and longevity, making the most of the location's favorable solar conditions throughout the year.

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 Entroncamento

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.4675, Longitude: -8.4645 (Entroncamento, 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 34° South in Entroncamento, Portugal

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Entroncamento, Portugal (Lat/Long 39.4675, -8.4645) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Entroncamento, 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 Entroncamento, Portugal. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
23° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	55° South in Winter	32° 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 Entroncamento, 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 Entroncamento, 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 Entroncamento, Portugal

The topography around Entroncamento, Portugal, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills and flat plains. This central region of Portugal, known as the Ribatejo, is situated in the Tagus River valley. The landscape is primarily composed of low-lying areas with occasional gentle slopes and small elevations. Entroncamento itself is located on relatively flat terrain, which gradually gives way to more undulating countryside as you move away from the city. To the north and east, the land becomes slightly more hilly, with modest elevations that rarely exceed 200 meters above sea level. These hills are often covered with a mix of olive groves, vineyards, and cork oak forests, typical of the region's Mediterranean climate. To the south and west of Entroncamento, the terrain becomes flatter as it approaches the Tagus River. This area is known for its fertile alluvial plains, which have been used for agriculture for centuries. The river's influence on the landscape is evident, with its wide floodplain creating expansive, level areas ideal for farming.

Suitability 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 combine flat or gently sloping terrain, good solar exposure, and minimal environmental or agricultural conflicts. The plains to the south and southwest of Entroncamento offer promising potential for solar PV development. These areas benefit from relatively flat topography, which simplifies construction and reduces costs associated with land preparation. The open nature of the landscape also ensures minimal shading from natural features, maximizing solar exposure throughout the day. Some of the gently sloping hillsides to the north and east of Entroncamento could also be suitable for solar PV installations. These areas may offer the advantage of slightly better solar angles, particularly for south-facing slopes. However, care would need to be taken to avoid areas with significant agricultural or ecological value, such as productive olive groves or important cork oak habitats. It's worth noting that while the immediate vicinity of the Tagus River offers flat terrain, these areas may be less suitable due to their high agricultural value and potential flood risks. Instead, the slightly elevated areas just beyond the floodplain might present a good compromise between favorable topography and land-use considerations. In all cases, detailed site-specific assessments would be necessary to determine the most appropriate locations for large-scale solar PV projects. These assessments would need to consider not only topography and solar exposure but also factors such as grid connectivity, local land-use regulations, and environmental impact.

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.