Sarilhos Grandes, Setúbal, Portugal, situated at latitude 38.6788 and longitude -8.9661, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Temperate Zone site experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impact its overall suitability for solar power production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location demonstrates strong solar potential during summer months, with an impressive daily output of 8.19 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, yielding 6.29 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production at 4.48 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.53 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Sarilhos Grandes is particularly well-suited for solar energy generation from late spring through early autumn. During this period, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency and energy production.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production at this location, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 33 degrees facing south. This optimal angle has been calculated to balance seasonal variations and capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the site's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Sarilhos Grandes generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few factors that could potentially impact system performance:

1. Coastal proximity: The location's nearness to the Atlantic Ocean may expose solar panels to salt spray, which can gradually corrode equipment and reduce efficiency.
2. Occasional fog: Coastal areas can experience fog, particularly in the morning, which may temporarily reduce solar output.

To mitigate these potential issues, installers should consider using corrosion-resistant materials and applying protective coatings to solar panels and mounting systems. Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help prevent salt buildup and maintain optimal performance. Additionally, investing in high-quality, fog-resistant panels can help minimize production losses during foggy conditions.

Overall, Sarilhos Grandes presents a favorable location for solar PV energy generation, with strong potential during warmer months and manageable challenges that can be addressed through proper installation and maintenance practices.

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 Sarilhos Grandes

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.6788, Longitude: -8.9661 (Sarilhos Grandes, 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 Sarilhos Grandes, Portugal

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sarilhos Grandes, Portugal (Lat/Long 38.6788, -8.9661) 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 Sarilhos Grandes, 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 Sarilhos Grandes, 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 Sarilhos Grandes, 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 Sarilhos Grandes, 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 Sarilhos Grandes, Portugal

The area surrounding Sarilhos Grandes, Portugal, is characterized by a relatively flat topography with gentle undulations. This small town is situated in the Setúbal District, on the southern bank of the Tagus River estuary. The landscape is primarily composed of low-lying coastal plains and marshlands, with elevations generally ranging from sea level to about 50 meters above sea level. To the north and east of Sarilhos Grandes, the terrain is dominated by the wide Tagus estuary, featuring extensive mudflats and salt marshes. These wetlands are ecologically significant but not suitable for large-scale development. Moving inland to the south and southwest, the land gradually rises, forming a series of low hills and plateaus.

Suitable Areas for Solar PV

The regions most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Sarilhos Grandes would be the gently sloping areas to the south and southwest. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy development: 1. Topography: The gradual incline provides good exposure to sunlight throughout the day, maximizing energy production potential. 2. Land availability: There are expansive open spaces in this direction, away from the densely populated coastal areas and ecologically sensitive wetlands. 3. Accessibility: The presence of road networks in the region facilitates the transportation of equipment and maintenance access. 4. Minimal shading: The absence of tall geographical features or dense forests reduces the risk of shading, which could impact solar panel efficiency. 5. Climate: The region experiences a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for solar energy production. Specific areas that could be considered for solar PV development include the slightly elevated terrain between Sarilhos Grandes and the towns of Pinhal Novo and Palmela. These locations offer a good balance of favorable topography, land availability, and proximity to existing infrastructure. It's important to note that any large-scale solar development would require careful environmental impact assessments and adherence to local regulations. The proximity to the Tagus estuary, an important ecological zone, means that developers would need to ensure that projects do not negatively impact the sensitive ecosystems in the region.

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.