Solar Energy Potential at Samora Correia, Santarém, Portugal

Samora Correia, Santarém, Portugal, located at 38.9343° N, -8.8685° E in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers promising conditions for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar electricity production that are worth understanding for anyone considering solar panel installation. The solar output at this location follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer stands out as the most productive season, generating an impressive 8.19 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 6.29 kWh/day, while autumn yields a moderate 4.48 kWh/day. Winter, as expected, produces the least energy at 2.53 kWh/day per kW of installed capacity.

Seasonal Variations and Optimization

The substantial difference between summer and winter production (more than three times higher in summer) indicates that this location has pronounced seasonal variations. This pattern is typical for locations in the Northern Temperate Zone, where the sun's path across the sky changes significantly throughout the year. For maximum year-round energy production at Samora Correia, Santarém, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 33-degree tilt facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize annual solar collection based on the site's latitude and seasonal solar patterns.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Samora Correia doesn't face major impediments to solar production compared to many other locations. However, there are some factors worth considering:

• Occasional dust and pollen from agricultural activities in the region can accumulate on panels, potentially reducing efficiency
• Morning fog from the nearby Tagus River estuary may delay peak production during certain times of year
• Summer heat waves can slightly reduce panel efficiency when temperatures exceed 30°C

To mitigate these factors, several preventative measures are recommended. Installing panels with self-cleaning glass or implementing a regular cleaning schedule can address dust accumulation. Slightly increasing the tilt angle by 2-3 degrees from the optimal 33 degrees can improve self-cleaning from rainfall. For heat-related efficiency losses, ensuring proper airflow beneath the panels by using raised mounting systems can help maintain cooler operating temperatures and preserve efficiency. Overall, Samora Correia represents a favorable location for solar PV installation, with particularly strong production potential from spring through autumn, making it a worthwhile investment for renewable energy generation.

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 Samora Correia

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.9343, Longitude: -8.8685 (Samora Correia, 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 Samora Correia, Portugal

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Samora Correia, Portugal (Lat/Long 38.9343, -8.8685) 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 Samora Correia, 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 Samora Correia, 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 Samora Correia, 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 Samora Correia, 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 Samora Correia, Portugal

The region surrounding Samora Correia in Portugal presents a distinctive topographical character typical of the lower Tagus Valley basin. This area lies within the Ribatejo province, characterized by predominantly flat terrain with gentle undulations. The landscape around Samora Correia is defined by its position in the alluvial plains of the Tagus River (Rio Tejo), which has shaped the region over millennia through sediment deposition and periodic flooding.

Lowland Floodplains

The immediate vicinity of Samora Correia consists mainly of low-lying floodplains known locally as "lezírias." These fertile plains sit at elevations typically between 5-20 meters above sea level. The flat nature of this terrain results from the Tagus River's natural flooding patterns, which have deposited nutrient-rich silt across the valley floor. These lowlands extend eastward and southward from Samora Correia, creating vast open spaces with minimal obstruction.

Surrounding Elevations

While the immediate area around Samora Correia is predominantly flat, the landscape gradually rises toward the west and northwest. Here, the terrain transitions to slightly more elevated rolling hills, with some areas reaching elevations of 50-100 meters. These gentle hills provide subtle contours to an otherwise level landscape. To the northeast, beyond the river, the land begins to rise more noticeably toward the foothills that eventually connect to Portugal's central mountain ranges.

Hydrological Features

The Tagus River dominates the hydrological landscape, flowing approximately 5 kilometers east of Samora Correia. The river's presence has led to a network of irrigation channels, small tributaries, and drainage canals throughout the region. These waterways segment portions of the landscape, creating a patchwork of agricultural fields and natural vegetation. Several small lakes and reservoirs also dot the surrounding countryside, serving agricultural and ecological purposes.

Solar PV Suitability

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development, several areas near Samora Correia present favorable conditions. The most suitable locations include:

Southern Plains

The extensive flat areas extending south and southwest of Samora Correia offer ideal conditions for solar PV installation. These plains benefit from minimal topographical shading, allowing for unobstructed solar exposure throughout the day. The flat terrain also simplifies construction and maintenance operations, reducing development costs. These areas typically have lower agricultural value than the immediate riverside lands, making them more appropriate for alternative land uses.

Western Elevated Plateaus

The slightly elevated plateaus to the west of Samora Correia present another advantageous location for solar development. These areas rise above potential morning fog that sometimes affects the lowest parts of the river valley. The gentle slopes, particularly those facing south and southwest, receive optimal solar radiation throughout the year. The elevated position also reduces concerns about seasonal flooding that might affect installations closer to the river.

Northeastern Transition Zones

Where the floodplains begin transitioning to higher ground in the northeastern sector beyond the Tagus, several locations offer promising conditions for solar development. These areas combine good solar exposure with reduced flood risk and typically feature land that is less intensively cultivated. The slight elevation changes in this zone can be advantageous for panel positioning to maximize solar gain. The combination of extensive flat areas, good drainage in elevated sections, and abundant open space makes the region around Samora Correia generally well-suited for large-scale solar PV development. The primary considerations for specific site selection would include balancing optimal solar exposure against preserving the most productive agricultural lands that have historically defined this region's economic and cultural identity.

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

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