Solar PV Analysis of Pacos De Brandao, Portugal
The location at Pacos de Brandao, Portugal is generally good for generating energy using solar photovoltaic (PV) technology throughout the year. However, the effectiveness of solar power generation varies with each season.
During summer and spring, you can expect to generate a lot of electricity from your solar panels - around 7.47 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 6.07 kWh/day in spring for every kilowatt of installed solar capacity.
In autumn, your electricity output will decrease to about 4.09 kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity due to fewer hours of sunlight and lower sun intensity as compared to summer and spring.
Winter sees the lowest productivity with approximately 2.35 kWh/day per kW because there's less sunlight during this season.
Therefore, if you're planning on installing a fixed panel solar system at this location, it would be best to do so before spring or summer when the panels can generate more electricity.
To maximize total yearly production from your PV system in Pacos de Brandao, it's recommended that you tilt your panels at an angle of 35 degrees facing South. This angle allows for optimal exposure to sunlight throughout different times of the year which results in more energy produced by your PV system overall.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could impede solar production at this location are concerned; Portugal experiences occasional rainstorms which could potentially block sunlight and reduce power generation temporarily but these occurrences aren't significant enough to drastically affect yearly outputs.
However, dust accumulation on panels can also reduce their efficiency over time so regular cleaning is advised especially after storms or high winds events which tend to carry dust particles along with them.
Another possible issue could be shading caused by nearby structures or vegetation; thus careful site selection avoiding such potential obstructions can help ensure greater energy production from your PV installation here.
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 Pacos De Brandao
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.9778, Longitude: -8.5909 (Pacos De Brandao, 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 Pacos De Brandao, Portugal
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pacos De Brandao, Portugal (Lat/Long 40.9778, -8.5909) 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 Pacos De Brandao, 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 Pacos De Brandao, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 56° 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 Pacos De Brandao, 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 Pacos De Brandao, 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 Pacos De Brandao, Portugal
Pacos de Brandao is located in the northern region of Portugal. The topography around this area is characterized by a mix of flat plains and hilly terrains, with the presence of some forested areas. The region also features rivers, including the Rio Uima and Rio Ferreira.
The climate in Pacos de Brandao is Mediterranean, which means it has hot summers and mild winters - an ideal condition for solar power generation. However, considering the topography for large-scale solar PV installations, flat terrains would be more suitable as they provide ease of installation and maintenance.
Areas with less vegetation cover like agricultural lands or open fields would also be better suited since they receive direct sunlight without any obstruction. In addition to these factors, regions that are closer to existing transmission lines or substations would be preferable to minimize infrastructure costs related to connecting the solar farm to the grid.
However, before deciding on a specific location for large-scale solar PV installation near Pacos de Brandao or anywhere else in Portugal (or globally), it's crucial to conduct a detailed site assessment that includes not only topographical analysis but also aspects such as local regulations regarding land use and renewable energy projects, potential environmental impacts etc.
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: Tuesday 2nd 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.
