Trafaria, Setúbal, Portugal, situated at 38.676°N, -9.2324°E, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This coastal town in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy production in Trafaria, Setúbal, with an impressive 7.69 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 6.41 kWh/day, making it the second-best season for solar output. Autumn sees a moderate decline to 4.52 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 2.66 kWh/day per kW installed.

The most ideal times for solar generation in Trafaria are from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency and energy production.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Trafaria, Setúbal, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 33-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal variations in sun position, ensuring the best overall performance throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Trafaria's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

• Coastal fog: Being close to the Atlantic Ocean, Trafaria may experience occasional coastal fog, particularly in the mornings. This can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency.
• Salt spray: The proximity to the sea increases the risk of salt corrosion on solar equipment.

To mitigate these issues, installers should use corrosion-resistant materials and apply protective coatings to solar panels and mounting systems. Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help maintain optimal performance in this coastal environment.

Overall, Trafaria's location offers good potential for solar PV energy generation, with strong performance during summer and spring, and manageable environmental 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 Trafaria

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.676, Longitude: -9.2324 (Trafaria, 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 Trafaria, Portugal

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Trafaria, Portugal (Lat/Long 38.676, -9.2324) 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 Trafaria, 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 Trafaria, 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
22° 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 Trafaria, 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 Trafaria, 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 Trafaria, Portugal

Trafaria, a small coastal town in Portugal, is situated on the southern bank of the Tagus River estuary, directly across from Lisbon. The topography of the area surrounding Trafaria is characterized by a mix of gentle coastal plains and rolling hills that gradually rise as you move inland. The immediate coastline near Trafaria features sandy beaches and low-lying dunes, typical of the Portuguese Atlantic coast. As you move slightly inland, the terrain begins to undulate, with small hills and shallow valleys creating a varied landscape. These hills are generally not very steep, with most slopes being gentle to moderate in grade.

Inland Terrain

Further inland, the terrain becomes more pronounced, with higher hills and deeper valleys. The area is part of the larger Setúbal Peninsula, which is known for its diverse topography. The hills in this region, while not mountainous, can reach heights of up to 300 meters above sea level in some areas. These elevated areas often offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the Tagus estuary. The region also features several small streams and rivers that have carved shallow valleys into the landscape over time. These waterways contribute to the area's undulating character and create natural drainage patterns across the terrain.

Potential for Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The gently rolling hills inland from Trafaria offer promising locations for solar farms. These areas benefit from: 1. Elevated positions that receive ample sunlight throughout the day 2. Relatively flat or gently sloping terrain that is easier to develop 3. Less valuable agricultural land compared to the fertile river valleys Specifically, the areas to the south and southeast of Trafaria, moving towards the center of the Setúbal Peninsula, show potential for solar PV development. These regions have a good balance of open space, suitable topography, and proximity to existing infrastructure. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to consider environmental impact, local regulations, and grid connection possibilities. The region's natural beauty and ecological significance mean that careful planning and environmental assessments would be crucial in identifying the most appropriate sites 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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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.