Solar PV Analysis of Mucifal, Portugal
The location at Mucifal, Lisbon, Portugal is moderately suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) panels year-round. The amount of electricity that can be produced varies by season, with the highest output in summer and the lowest in winter.
In simpler terms, if you have a 1 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system installed at this location:
- In summer, it could produce around 7.69 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day.
- In autumn, it could produce around 4.52 kWh/day.
- In winter, production drops to about 2.66 kWh/day.
- And in springtime, it picks up again to around 6.41 kWh/day.
So generally speaking, you would get more energy from your solar panels during the sunnier months of spring and summer than during autumn and winter.
To maximize total year-round production from a solar PV system at this location, fixed panel installations should ideally be tilted at an angle of 33 degrees towards the South. This position allows them to catch as much sunlight as possible over the course of a year.
As for factors that might impede solar production here: Mucifal is located near the coast which means there may be more cloud cover or fog compared to inland areas - these can reduce sunlight availability and thus lower power generation potential from your panels. Also note that dust or dirt accumulation on panels can also affect their performance; regular cleaning will help ensure they work efficiently.
Additionally due to its coastal location there may potentially be higher levels of salt in the air which could cause corrosion over time - using panels designed for marine or coastal environments will help mitigate this risk.
In conclusion while not ideal throughout all seasons Mucifal still offers reasonable potential for solar power generation especially when taking into account appropriate positioning and maintenance measures specific to local conditions like weather patterns and environmental factors such as dust and salt.
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 Mucifal
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.8041, Longitude: -9.4404 (Mucifal, 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 Mucifal, Portugal
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mucifal, Portugal (Lat/Long 38.8041, -9.4404) 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 Mucifal, 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 Mucifal, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23° 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 Mucifal, 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 Mucifal, 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 Mucifal, Portugal
Mucifal, Portugal is located in the Sintra region of western Portugal. The topography in this area is characterized by a mixture of flat coastal plains and hilly terrain as it is near the Sintra Mountains. The area has a combination of urban areas, farmlands, vineyards and forests.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be the flatter regions with less vegetation cover or urban development to avoid shadowing effects on the panels. Coastal plains could be ideal due to their flatness but one must consider potential issues related to sea spray corrosion or high winds.
Further inland where there are open farmlands could also be good locations for solar farms because they tend to have good sun exposure and fewer obstructions like tall buildings or trees. However, it's essential that these installations do not interfere with agricultural activities or natural habitats.
In terms of sunlight availability, Portugal has one of the highest levels of solar irradiation in Europe which makes it highly suitable for solar energy production.
It's important to note that any decision about installing large-scale solar PV should take into account not just topographic suitability but also factors such as local climate conditions (like fog or dust), proximity to power grids for easy transmission, legal regulations and potential impacts on local communities and ecosystems. Detailed site surveys and environmental impact assessments would likely need to be conducted before proceeding with any installation.
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: Monday 22nd of April 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.
