Solar PV Analysis of Quarteira, Portugal
The location at Quarteira, Faro, Portugal is pretty good for generating solar energy year-round, although some seasons are better than others. The amount of electricity you can generate from a solar panel depends on how much sunlight it gets. In Quarteira, Faro, the most productive season for solar power is Summer when you could expect to generate about 8.23 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels. Spring also provides a decent amount with around 6.70 kWh/day per kW.
Autumn and Winter see less sunlight so they produce less energy - about 4.78 kWh/day per kW in Autumn and only around 2.82 kWh/day per kW in Winter.
If you're installing fixed panels here, tilting them at an angle of 32 degrees towards the South will give you the best overall production across all seasons.
As for factors that might impede solar production in this area, Portugal generally has a mild climate with plenty of sunshine but there could be some local weather patterns or environmental conditions that affect output such as cloud cover or dust storms which reduce the intensity of sunlight reaching your panels.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these potential obstacles, one preventative measure would be regularly cleaning your panels to remove any dust or debris that might block sunlight. Another way could be using tracking systems which allow your panels to move with the sun throughout the day thereby maximizing exposure to direct sunlight rather than being fixed in one position all day long.
In conclusion, while there may be seasonal fluctuations and potential environmental challenges to consider when installing solar PVs in Quarteira, Faro, Portugal; strategic planning like optimal panel placement and regular maintenance can make it an effective location for harnessing renewable energy year-round.
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 Quarteira
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.0658, Longitude: -8.1026 (Quarteira, 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 Quarteira, Portugal
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Quarteira, Portugal (Lat/Long 37.0658, -8.1026) 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 Quarteira, 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 Quarteira, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° South in Summer | 41° South in Autumn | 52° South in Winter | 29° 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 Quarteira, 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 Quarteira, 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 Quarteira, Portugal
Quarteira, Portugal is located in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. The topography of this area is generally flat with some small hills and valleys. It's very close to the coast, so it has a Mediterranean climate with long hours of sunshine throughout the year.
The land around Quarteira is mostly developed for residential and commercial use due to its popularity as a tourist destination. However, there are also large areas of open countryside that could potentially be suitable for solar PV installations.
Given its proximity to the sea, one potential issue could be corrosion from salt spray which can affect solar panels over time. Therefore, any large-scale solar PV installation would need to take this into account when planning and maintaining the system.
In terms of specific nearby areas that might be most suited to large-scale solar PV:
1) The inland rural areas north-west or north-east of Quarteira have less development and could provide ample space for such an installation.
2) There are several golf courses in the vicinity (e.g., Vila Sol Golf Course). If these golf courses were amenable, they could provide substantial open space where dual-use (golfing & solar power generation) might be possible. This concept has been successfully employed at some locations worldwide but would require cooperation from course owners/operators.
3) Flat rooftops on larger buildings within Quarteira itself or in surrounding communities like Vilamoura may also offer opportunities for smaller scale distributed generation installations if building codes permit it.
4) Farmland near Quarteira can also be considered if farmers are willing to combine agriculture with energy production – a concept known as agrovoltaics or agrivoltaics.
As always before undertaking such projects thorough feasibility studies including environmental impact assessments should be carried out by qualified professionals.
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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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 16th of June 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.
