Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 38.7874, -9.3793, offers reasonably good conditions for solar PV energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations. This coastal Portuguese location experiences its highest solar production during summer months, with a substantial decrease during winter.

Seasonal Solar Production

The location demonstrates clear seasonal patterns in solar energy production. During summer, panels can generate an impressive 7.69kWh per day for each kW of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 6.38kWh/day, while autumn yields 4.46kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest production at just 2.60kWh/day per kW installed.

This seasonal pattern creates a nearly 3:1 ratio between summer and winter production, which is typical for locations in the Northern Temperate Zone. The substantial drop during winter months means that systems sized primarily for summer needs will require supplemental energy sources during winter.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations at this Santa Maria location, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 33 degrees facing South. This angle balances seasonal variations to optimize annual energy harvest, taking into account Portugal's position in the Northern Hemisphere and the specific solar elevation patterns at this latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Being a coastal location, Santa Maria may experience several factors that could impact solar production. Salt spray from the nearby Atlantic Ocean can gradually accumulate on panels, creating a film that reduces light transmission. Regular cleaning with demineralized water is recommended, along with using panels with marine-grade frames and components.

Fog and coastal cloud cover can occasionally reduce production, particularly in morning hours. Installing panels at the recommended 33-degree tilt helps water runoff and allows morning dew to dry more quickly. Additionally, the region can experience dust from seasonal Saharan winds, which may require periodic cleaning to maintain optimal performance.

To mitigate these environmental factors, installation best practices include:

• Using micro-inverters or power optimizers to reduce the impact of partial shading
• Implementing automated cleaning systems for larger installations
• Selecting high-quality panels with anti-reflective coatings and tempered glass
• Ensuring adequate spacing between panel rows to minimize mutual shading

Overall, despite these considerations, Santa Maria's location offers favorable conditions for solar PV generation, especially from late spring through early autumn when production peaks.

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 Santa Maria

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.7874, Longitude: -9.3793 (Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, Portugal

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Santa Maria, Portugal (Lat/Long 38.7874, -9.3793) 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, Portugal

The region around Santa Maria, Portugal, located near Lisbon, presents a varied topography that influences its suitability for solar energy production. This coastal area sits on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula, characterized by gently rolling hills that gradually rise from the Atlantic coastline eastward.

Coastal Topography

Santa Maria's vicinity features a mixture of coastal plains and low-elevation hills. The terrain generally consists of undulating landscapes with modest elevation changes, rarely exceeding 200 meters above sea level in the immediate area. The coastline itself alternates between sandy beaches and rocky outcrops, with some cliffs that face westward toward the Atlantic Ocean. The western exposure provides excellent solar incidence angles throughout much of the day, particularly in the afternoon when the sun tracks westward. This natural orientation makes many of the west-facing slopes potentially advantageous for solar collection.

Inland Features

Moving slightly inland from Santa Maria, the landscape becomes more varied with increased elevation. Small valleys cut through the terrain, creating a patchwork of slopes with different orientations. These topographical variations mean that certain areas receive more direct sunlight than others throughout the day. The soil composition in the region is predominantly sandy and limestone-based, providing stable ground for large-scale installations without excessive earthwork requirements. Vegetation is typically Mediterranean scrub and low-density forest, which would require minimal clearing for development purposes.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

The most suitable areas for large-scale solar photovoltaic development around Santa Maria would be the gently sloping plateaus located inland from the immediate coastline. These areas offer several advantages: The slightly elevated inland plains, particularly those 5-10 kilometers from the coast, offer reduced fog exposure compared to immediate coastal locations. These areas experience less marine layer influence that can diminish solar efficiency. South and southwest-facing slopes throughout the region provide optimal sun exposure throughout the day. These natural inclines between 5-15 degrees are particularly valuable as they maximize solar collection while minimizing the land area required. The relatively flat plateaus north and northeast of Santa Maria offer excellent potential for large-scale installations. These areas combine favorable topography with sufficient land availability, making them ideal for utility-scale projects. Areas with minimal shading from topographical features are abundant in this region. The modest hills rarely create significant shadow patterns that would compromise solar efficiency across large areas.

Topographical Challenges

Despite the generally favorable conditions, some topographical challenges exist. Small ravines and seasonal waterways cut through parts of the landscape, which would need to be avoided or bridged in comprehensive development plans. Additionally, some coastal areas experience increased wind exposure, which while beneficial for cooling solar panels, may require enhanced structural considerations. The terrain's variability means that large-scale developments would benefit from careful site selection to maximize efficiency. Micro-topographical surveys would be valuable to identify the most advantageous locations within the broader region. In summary, the area surrounding Santa Maria offers favorable topographical conditions for solar PV development, with the inland plateaus and south-facing gentle slopes presenting the most promising opportunities for large-scale installations.

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

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.