Solar PV Analysis of Ponta Delgada, Portugal
The location at Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal is decent for generating solar energy throughout the year, although the efficiency varies by season. During summer, you can expect to generate about 7.10 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This drops to 3.90 kWh/day in autumn and further reduces to 2.59 kWh/day in winter before rising again to 5.78 kWh/day in spring.
This means that the best time of year to generate solar energy at this location is during the summer months when sunlight is most abundant, followed by spring and then autumn. Winter sees the least amount of sunlight hence it's not an ideal time for solar energy production.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system at this location, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32 degrees facing South if they are fixed.
As far as environmental or weather factors go that could impede solar production here; Ponta Delgada has a maritime temperate climate with mild temperatures but high humidity and frequent rainfall especially during late fall and winter months which might affect optimal sun exposure on some days reducing efficiency slightly - however it shouldn't significantly impact overall yearly output as long sunny periods are also common throughout these seasons.
For preventative measures against these factors affecting your PV system’s performance; ensure proper installation so rainwater doesn't accumulate on panels causing dirt build-up which would reduce their effectiveness over time - regular cleaning will help maintain their efficiency too.
Also consider installing a tracking system that follows sun's path across sky maximizing exposure even during less sunny periods or possibly use bifacial modules which can capture indirect light reflected off ground when direct sunlight isn’t available increasing output potential further still.
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 Ponta Delgada
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.7392, Longitude: -25.6617 (Ponta Delgada, 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 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ponta Delgada, Portugal (Lat/Long 37.7392, -25.6617) 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 Ponta Delgada, 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 Ponta Delgada, 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 Ponta Delgada, 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 Ponta Delgada, 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 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Ponta Delgada is located on the island of São Miguel, in the Azores archipelago of Portugal. The topography around Ponta Delgada is quite diverse. It includes coastal plains, mountain ranges such as the Sete Cidades Massif and Água de Pau Massif, volcanic cones, and crater lakes.
The city itself is relatively flat with an elevation ranging from sea level to about 100 meters. However, as you move away from the city center towards inland areas, the terrain becomes more hilly and mountainous.
Regarding solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are generally preferred because they require less construction work for site preparation and allow easier installation and maintenance of solar panels. Therefore, coastal plains near Ponta Delgada could be potential sites for large-scale solar PV projects.
However, it's also important to consider other factors like local climate conditions (amount of sunlight), land use restrictions (for example protected natural areas), proximity to power grid infrastructure for electricity distribution etc., when selecting suitable locations for solar power plants.
In terms of sunlight availability: Azores has a maritime temperate climate with mild temperatures throughout the year but also frequent clouds and rainfall due to its location in Atlantic Ocean which might affect efficiency of solar panels.
Therefore a detailed feasibility study would be necessary before deciding on specific locations for large scale Solar PV installations around Ponta Delgada.
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: Thursday 4th of July 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.
