Solar PV Analysis of Prior Velho, Portugal
Prior Velho, Lisbon, Portugal, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a promising location for solar energy generation. With its geographical coordinates at 38.792 latitude and -9.1169 longitude, this area experiences varying levels of solar potential throughout the year.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy production in Prior Velho follows a predictable pattern across the four seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 7.69 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 6.41 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production at 4.52 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.66 kWh/day.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
The most ideal times for solar energy production in Prior Velho are during the summer months, typically from June to August, when daylight hours are longest and solar intensity is at its peak. Spring and early autumn also offer favorable conditions for solar generation. While winter months show reduced output, the area still maintains a reasonable level of solar potential year-round.
Panel Installation Considerations
For those looking to install fixed solar panels in Prior Velho, Lisbon, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 33 degrees facing South. This angle has been carefully calculated to account for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific solar elevation angles throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Prior Velho doesn't face significant environmental or weather-related challenges that would severely impede solar production. However, there are a few factors to consider:
- Occasional coastal fog or haze may slightly reduce solar efficiency, particularly in the mornings.
- Dust accumulation from nearby urban areas could marginally affect panel performance if not addressed.
To mitigate these minor issues, regular cleaning of solar panels is recommended. Additionally, installing panels at a slight angle can help with natural cleaning during rainfall. For areas prone to morning fog, considering a slight western tilt might be beneficial to capture more afternoon sun.
Overall, Prior Velho presents a highly favorable location for solar PV installations, with strong potential for energy generation throughout the year, particularly during the spring and summer months.
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 Prior Velho
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.792, Longitude: -9.1169 (Prior Velho, 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 Prior Velho, Portugal
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Prior Velho, Portugal (Lat/Long 38.792, -9.1169) 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 Prior Velho, 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 Prior Velho, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23° 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 Prior Velho, 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 Prior Velho, 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 Prior Velho, Portugal
The area around Prior Velho, Portugal, is characterized by gently rolling terrain with a mix of urban and suburban landscapes. Prior Velho itself is located in the municipality of Loures, just northeast of Lisbon, the country's capital. The topography in this region is generally low-lying, with elevations ranging from near sea level to modest hills that rarely exceed 100 meters in height.
To the west of Prior Velho, the land slopes gradually towards the Tagus River estuary, which forms a wide, flat plain. This area is heavily urbanized, with Lisbon's airport and various industrial and commercial zones occupying much of the space. To the east and northeast, the terrain becomes slightly more undulating, with small hills and shallow valleys creating a patchwork of residential areas interspersed with pockets of green space and agricultural land.
In terms of areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the regions to the east and northeast of Prior Velho offer more promising opportunities. These areas have several advantages for solar energy production:
- They feature more open, less densely populated spaces that could accommodate large solar arrays.
- The gently rolling hills provide south-facing slopes that can maximize sun exposure throughout the day.
- The slightly higher elevations in these areas may experience less fog and coastal cloud cover, which can impact solar efficiency.
Specific locations that might be suitable for solar PV development include the rural areas around Bucelas, São Julião do Tojal, and Santo Antão do Tojal. These regions have a mix of agricultural land and open spaces that could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production. Additionally, the area north of Alverca do Ribatejo, where the terrain begins to rise more noticeably, could offer good sites for solar farms that benefit from elevated, south-facing positions.
It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider local zoning regulations, environmental impacts, and the proximity to electrical grid infrastructure. The relatively close distance to Lisbon and its suburbs means that power transmission to areas of high demand could be efficient, making this region potentially attractive for solar energy development.
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: Sunday 25th of August 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.
