Pinhal Novo, Setúbal, Portugal, located at coordinates 38.6347, -8.9154, presents a favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, with particularly strong performance during summer months.

Seasonal Solar Production

The solar energy output at this location shows significant seasonal variation. During summer, solar panels can be expected to generate an impressive 8.19kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 6.29kWh/day, while autumn yields 4.48kWh/day. Winter, as expected, produces the least energy at 2.53kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This seasonal pattern makes Pinhal Novo particularly well-suited for solar energy production from late spring through early autumn, when energy generation reaches its peak. The substantial difference between summer and winter production (more than three times higher in summer) reflects the typical Mediterranean climate pattern of this region.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Pinhal Novo, Setúbal, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 33 degrees facing South. This specific angle optimizes the capture of solar radiation throughout the year, balancing between the higher summer sun and lower winter sun positions.

Environmental Considerations

There are a few environmental factors that could potentially impact solar production in Pinhal Novo:

• Dust accumulation can be significant in this Mediterranean climate, especially during dry summer months and after occasional Saharan dust events that affect the Iberian Peninsula. Regular panel cleaning is recommended, ideally every 3-4 months.
• While not extremely common, occasional morning fog and mist from the nearby Tagus River estuary can temporarily reduce morning production, particularly in autumn and winter months.

These factors are not severe enough to significantly compromise the viability of solar installations but should be considered during system design and maintenance planning. Installing panels with self-cleaning properties or implementing automated cleaning systems can help mitigate dust-related efficiency losses. Additionally, selecting high-quality inverters that perform well in partial shading conditions can help optimize production during occasional foggy mornings.

Overall, Pinhal Novo offers excellent conditions for solar energy production, with particularly strong performance from April through September that can offset the reduced winter output.

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 Pinhal Novo

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.6347, Longitude: -8.9154 (Pinhal Novo, 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 Pinhal Novo, Portugal

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pinhal Novo, Portugal (Lat/Long 38.6347, -8.9154) 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 Pinhal Novo, 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 Pinhal Novo, 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
22° 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 Pinhal Novo, 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 Pinhal Novo, 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 Pinhal Novo, Portugal

The terrain surrounding Pinhal Novo, Portugal presents a relatively flat to gently undulating landscape. Located in the Setúbal Peninsula region, Pinhal Novo sits on what is essentially a broad coastal plain that extends from the Tagus River estuary. The elevation in this area typically ranges between 30 to 50 meters above sea level, with minimal dramatic relief features. This flatness is characteristic of the Alentejo coastal plain that begins in this region.

Surrounding Landscape

To the west and northwest of Pinhal Novo, the terrain gradually rises toward the Serra da Arrábida mountain range, which forms a natural barrier between the peninsula and the Atlantic Ocean. These limestone mountains, while not directly adjacent to Pinhal Novo, are visible from the area and represent the most significant topographical feature in the broader region. The eastern and southern surroundings of Pinhal Novo maintain the predominantly flat character, transitioning into agricultural plains. These areas feature sandy soils typical of coastal plains, with scattered pine forests (which give Pinhal Novo its name - "New Pine Forest") and agricultural land dominating the landscape. Small water courses cross the region, but there are no major rivers directly through Pinhal Novo itself. The Tagus River estuary lies to the north, while the Sado River estuary is situated to the south, both influencing the broader regional geography without directly affecting the immediate topography of Pinhal Novo.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

The flat terrain surrounding Pinhal Novo makes much of the area potentially suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The most advantageous locations would be: The plains extending to the east and southeast of Pinhal Novo offer excellent potential for solar development. These areas combine favorable topographical conditions with good solar exposure due to minimal shadowing from natural features. The flat terrain reduces construction costs and simplifies installation logistics. Agricultural lands to the south of Pinhal Novo, particularly those with poorer soil quality, could be repurposed for solar installations. These areas already have minimal tree cover and offer large contiguous spaces necessary for utility-scale projects. The slightly elevated areas to the northeast provide optimal conditions, as they receive minimal shadowing throughout the day while still benefiting from the generally flat character that facilitates construction. Areas to avoid would include the western approaches to the Serra da Arrábida, where increasing elevation and potential morning shadowing could reduce efficiency, and any wetland zones near the river estuaries, which present environmental sensitivities and potential flooding risks. The region's climate, characterized by Mediterranean conditions with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, creates favorable conditions for solar energy generation. The relatively consistent elevation throughout much of the surrounding area means that microclimate variations are minimal, allowing for predictable solar resource availability across potential development sites.

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.