Solar PV Analysis of Porto Santo, Portugal
Porto Santo, Madeira, Portugal's location in the Northern Sub Tropics is pretty good for generating solar energy year-round. During the summer and spring, you can expect to generate a lot of electricity - around 7.03 and 6.30 kilowatt-hours per day for every kilowatt of solar power installed respectively. Autumn and winter produce less energy - about 4.75 and 3.27 kilowatt-hours per day respectively, but it's still a decent amount.
The best times to generate solar at this location are during the longer daylight hours in spring and summer when the sun is at its highest point in the sky providing more direct sunlight onto your panels.
When installing your solar panels here, you should tilt them towards south at an angle of approximately 29 degrees to get as much sunlight as possible throughout the year.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could affect your solar production, Porto Santo has a generally mild climate with plenty of sunshine throughout most of the year which is ideal for solar power generation. However, like any coastal area it can be subject to occasionally cloudy or stormy weather which could temporarily reduce output from your panels.
One other factor might be dust or sand blown by wind which could settle on your panels reducing their efficiency over time if not regularly cleaned off.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these potential issues:
1) Regular maintenance: This includes cleaning off dust or sand from panel surfaces so they can effectively absorb sunlight.
2) Storm-proof installation: Ensure that panels are securely installed so they won't get damaged during heavy winds or storms.
3) Backup system: Consider having an alternative source of electricity such as batteries charged by excess generated energy during peak periods (summer/spring), this will provide power during lower yield periods (autumn/winter).
In conclusion, Porto Santo offers promising conditions for effective use of Solar PV technology throughout most parts of the year with some care and maintenance required to maximize its potential.
Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 160 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 Porto Santo
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.0571, Longitude: -16.3315 (Porto Santo, 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 29° South in Porto Santo, Portugal
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Porto Santo, Portugal (Lat/Long 33.0571, -16.3315) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Porto Santo, 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 Porto Santo, Portugal. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17° South in Summer | 37° South in Autumn | 48° South in Winter | 26° 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 Porto Santo, 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 Porto Santo, 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 Porto Santo, Portugal
Porto Santo is a small island in the Madeira archipelago of Portugal. Its topography is characterized by hilly terrain with some flat areas, particularly along the coastline. The highest point on the island is Pico do Facho at 517 meters above sea level.
The climate of Porto Santo is Mediterranean, characterized by mild temperatures and high solar radiation throughout the year, making it suitable for solar PV installations.
Given its topography and land use pattern, there are several potential areas for large-scale solar PV:
1. Flat coastal regions: These areas can be ideal due to their relatively flat terrain and high sun exposure.
2. Hilltops and slopes: While these locations may require more complex installation processes due to uneven terrain, they also have potentially higher sun exposure than lower-lying areas.
3. Unused or barren lands: Any underutilized spaces that are not being used for agriculture or other purposes could be good options as well.
However, any decision regarding specific locations for large-scale solar PV would need to take into account multiple factors including local regulations, environmental impact assessments, grid connectivity possibilities etc., which requires detailed feasibility studies.
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 25th of April 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
