Solar PV Analysis of Vila Do Porto, Portugal
Vila do Porto, located on the island of Santa Maria in the Azores archipelago, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. This Portuguese town, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, experiences varying levels of solar productivity across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Vila do Porto, with an average daily output of 7.36 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 6.21 kWh/day. Autumn sees a significant drop to 4.17 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 2.80 kWh/day.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the importance of considering seasonal variations when planning a solar installation in this location. The period from late spring through early autumn offers the most favorable conditions for solar energy generation.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Vila do Porto, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 32 degrees facing south. This orientation helps optimize the capture of sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Vila do Porto generally offers good conditions for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact performance:
- Cloud cover: The Azores can experience periods of increased cloudiness, particularly in autumn and winter, which may reduce solar efficiency.
- Salt spray: Being a coastal location, salt accumulation on panels could slightly decrease their effectiveness over time.
To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning of solar panels is recommended to remove salt deposits. Additionally, using high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials for mounting and wiring can help ensure longevity and maintain optimal performance in the coastal environment.
Overall, while Vila do Porto may not offer ideal year-round conditions for solar energy production, it still presents a viable opportunity for renewable energy generation, especially during the summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a significant contribution to the local energy mix.
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 Vila Do Porto
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.9423, Longitude: -25.1476 (Vila Do Porto, 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 Vila Do Porto, Portugal
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Vila Do Porto, Portugal (Lat/Long 36.9423, -25.1476) 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 Vila Do Porto, 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 Vila Do Porto, 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 Vila Do Porto, 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 Vila Do Porto, 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 Vila Do Porto, Portugal
Vila do Porto is located on the island of Santa Maria, which is part of the Azores archipelago in Portugal. The topography around Vila do Porto is characterized by a mix of coastal and hilly terrain. The town itself is situated near the northern coast of the island, with the land gently rising as you move inland.
The coastline near Vila do Porto features rocky cliffs interspersed with small beaches and coves. As you move away from the coast, the landscape becomes more varied, with rolling hills, small valleys, and plateaus. The interior of Santa Maria Island is generally higher in elevation, with some areas reaching heights of around 500 meters (1,640 feet) above sea level.
The island's highest point, Pico Alto, is located south of Vila do Porto and stands at approximately 587 meters (1,926 feet) tall. This peak is part of a central mountain range that runs roughly east to west across the island. The slopes of these hills are often covered in lush vegetation, thanks to the island's mild climate and regular rainfall.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the most promising locations would likely be found on the island's southern and eastern sides. These areas tend to have more gently sloping terrain and receive more consistent sunlight throughout the year. The plateaus and less steep hillsides in these regions could provide ample space for solar panel arrays.
However, it's important to note that Santa Maria is a relatively small island, with limited flat land available for extensive solar farms. Any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider the island's unique geography, environmental concerns, and land use restrictions. Additionally, the island's occasional cloud cover and potential for strong winds might impact the efficiency of solar installations.
Ultimately, while Vila do Porto and Santa Maria Island have potential for solar energy development, the scale of such projects may be limited by the island's size and topography. Smaller, distributed solar installations might be more feasible and in keeping with the island's character and available land resources.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 1st of September 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
