Solar PV Analysis of Mealhada, Portugal
Mealhada, Aveiro, Portugal, situated at latitude 40.3728 and longitude -8.455, offers a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Temperate Zone location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, with peak performance during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Energy Production
The solar energy output in Mealhada varies considerably across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.47 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 6.07 kWh/day. Autumn sees a notable decrease in production at 4.09 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.35 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Mealhada's location is particularly well-suited for solar energy generation from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Mealhada, Aveiro, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 35 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Mealhada generally provides good conditions for solar energy production, there are a few factors that could potentially impact efficiency:
- Occasional fog or mist, especially during autumn and winter mornings, may temporarily reduce solar panel output.
- Dust accumulation from nearby agricultural activities could slightly decrease panel efficiency if not regularly cleaned.
To mitigate these issues, consider implementing automated cleaning systems or scheduling regular manual cleaning of the panels. Additionally, using anti-reflective coatings on the panels can help maximize light absorption, even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Overall, Mealhada's location offers a good balance for year-round solar energy production, with particularly strong potential during the warmer months. By optimizing panel installation and addressing minor environmental factors, solar PV systems in this area can provide a reliable and efficient source of renewable energy.
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 Mealhada
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.3728, Longitude: -8.455 (Mealhada, 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 35° South in Mealhada, Portugal
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mealhada, Portugal (Lat/Long 40.3728, -8.455) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Mealhada, 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 Mealhada, Portugal. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 55° South in Winter | 33° 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 Mealhada, 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 Mealhada, 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 Mealhada, Portugal
The area around Mealhada, Portugal, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography. Located in the Aveiro District of central Portugal, Mealhada sits in a region that transitions from coastal plains to more elevated inland areas.
To the west of Mealhada, the terrain is relatively flat, with gentle slopes and low-lying areas. This coastal plain gradually rises as you move eastward towards the town. Mealhada itself is situated on slightly elevated ground, providing pleasant views of the surrounding countryside.
As you continue east from Mealhada, the landscape becomes more varied and hilly. The town is nestled at the foot of the Serra do Buçaco, a small mountain range that adds a dramatic backdrop to the area. This range, while not extremely high, features steeper slopes and more rugged terrain compared to the western plains.
The region is also characterized by numerous small rivers and streams that flow through the landscape, creating valleys and contributing to the area's lush vegetation. Vineyards and forests are common sights, interspersed with agricultural fields and pastures.
Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would likely be found to the west of Mealhada. The flatter, more open terrain of the coastal plains provides several advantages for solar energy development:
- These areas receive ample sunlight throughout the year, with fewer obstructions from hills or mountains.
- The relatively level ground makes construction and maintenance of solar arrays easier and more cost-effective.
- There's typically more available land in these areas, allowing for larger installations.
- The proximity to the coast means these areas are less likely to experience extreme temperature fluctuations, which can affect solar panel efficiency.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, agricultural land use, and local regulations. The hilly areas to the east, while potentially suitable for smaller installations, would generally be less ideal for large-scale projects due to the more challenging terrain and increased shading from the landscape.
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 6th of September 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.
