Pico da Pedra, Portugal shows moderate potential for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variation that affects its overall attractiveness for solar PV installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location experiences its strongest solar generation during summer months, producing 7.11 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. This represents peak performance when the sun is highest and daylight hours are longest. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.77 kWh/day per kW, making it another excellent period for solar energy production. Autumn sees a notable decline to 3.85 kWh/day per kW as the sun angle decreases and weather patterns shift. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.53 kWh/day per kW, representing less than 36% of summer production levels.

Optimal Installation Setup

For maximum year-round energy production at Pico da Pedra, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 32 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize total annual output by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the year and weighting for the solar irradiance potential at this specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors could significantly impact solar production at this Azorean location:

• Atlantic maritime climate: The island location creates frequent cloud cover, fog, and overcast conditions that can substantially reduce solar irradiance
• Salt air exposure: Coastal proximity means panels face constant salt spray that can corrode components and create film buildup on panel surfaces
• High humidity: Persistent moisture can lead to condensation issues and accelerated degradation of electrical components
• Strong winds: Atlantic weather systems can bring powerful winds requiring robust mounting systems

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be implemented. Choose marine-grade mounting hardware and electrical components specifically designed to resist salt corrosion. Install panels with adequate spacing to allow natural rain washing and easy access for regular cleaning to remove salt deposits. Implement comprehensive drainage systems to prevent water accumulation around electrical components. Use sealed junction boxes and conduits rated for high-moisture environments. Consider anti-reflective coatings that also provide some protection against salt buildup. Ensure mounting systems are engineered for high wind loads typical of Atlantic island locations. Regular maintenance schedules should include thorough cleaning and inspection of all components, particularly focusing on salt accumulation and corrosion prevention.

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 Pico Da Pedra

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.7998, Longitude: -25.6227 (Pico Da Pedra, 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 32° South in Pico Da Pedra, Portugal

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pico Da Pedra, Portugal (Lat/Long 37.7998, -25.6227) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Pico Da Pedra, 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 Pico Da Pedra, Portugal. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° 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	42° South in Autumn	52° South in Winter	30° 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 Pico Da Pedra, 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 Pico Da Pedra, 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 Pico Da Pedra, Portugal

Topography Around Pico da Pedra

Pico da Pedra sits in the central part of São Miguel Island in the Azores archipelago, positioned within a landscape shaped by volcanic activity over millennia. The area is characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively modest elevation changes, creating a terrain that is neither dramatically mountainous nor completely flat. The immediate surroundings feature undulating countryside with gradual slopes that provide good drainage and wind exposure.

The volcanic origins of this region have created fertile soils and a topography marked by ancient lava flows and volcanic cones. While the terrain includes some steeper sections, much of the landscape consists of moderate gradients that are well-suited to development. The area benefits from its position away from the more extreme topographical features found elsewhere on São Miguel, such as the dramatic crater lakes and steeper volcanic peaks.

Elevation and Slope Characteristics

The elevation around Pico da Pedra ranges from sea level along the northern coast to several hundred meters inland, creating a gradually ascending landscape toward the island's interior. This moderate elevation gain occurs over sufficient distance to maintain manageable slope angles across most of the terrain. The volcanic substrate has weathered into relatively stable ground conditions, though the presence of underlying volcanic rock formations means that soil depth can vary considerably across short distances.

Natural drainage patterns follow the gentle contours of the land, with small valleys and ridges creating a varied but not extreme topographical profile. These features contribute to good air circulation and help prevent the formation of frost pockets or areas of excessive moisture accumulation that might affect solar installations.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations lie in the gently sloping agricultural areas south and southwest of Pico da Pedra. These zones offer the ideal combination of manageable gradients, good ground stability, and sufficient space for extensive solar arrays. The terrain in these areas typically features slopes between five and fifteen degrees, which provides excellent solar exposure while remaining suitable for standard mounting systems.

The elevated plateaus and broad ridgelines in the surrounding countryside present particularly attractive opportunities for solar development. These locations benefit from consistent wind flow that helps maintain optimal panel temperatures, while their elevated position reduces the risk of shading from surrounding vegetation or structures. The volcanic substrate in these areas has generally weathered into stable foundations suitable for large-scale construction.

Areas closer to the coast, while flatter, may face challenges from salt spray and higher humidity levels that could affect long-term equipment performance. The inland locations, particularly those on south-facing slopes with good access to existing infrastructure, represent the most practical choices for major solar installations. These sites combine favorable topographical conditions with proximity to electrical grid connections and transportation networks necessary for construction and maintenance activities.

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

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.