Solar PV Analysis of Gherla, Romania
The location at Gherla, Cluj County, Romania is somewhat suitable for generating energy via solar PV systems year-round, but the efficiency varies significantly depending on the season.
In simple terms, a solar PV system installed here would produce the most energy during summer days with an average of 6.64 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity. This means that in summer, your solar panels will be able to generate a good amount of electricity due to longer daylight hours and more intense sunlight.
During spring and autumn, the energy production decreases but is still adequate with averages of 4.83 kWh/day and 3.12 kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar capacity. This decrease is due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight compared to summer.
However, winter sees a significant drop in production down to an average of just 1.25 kWh/day per kW because there are fewer hours of daylight and often overcast skies.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system at this location, it's recommended that you tilt your panels at an angle of 39 degrees facing south.
As far as environmental or local factors that could impede solar production in Gherla are concerned, one must consider periods with heavy snowfall during winter which can cover up the panels reducing their efficiency or even stopping their operation temporarily until cleared off snow.
Also note that any large trees or buildings casting shadows on your installation could also reduce its effectiveness significantly regardless of season.
To mitigate these issues when installing your system:
1) Choose a site where shadows from nearby structures or vegetation won't fall on the panels especially during peak sun hours.
2) Have a plan for removing snow from the panels without damaging them - this may involve using special tools or hiring professionals.
3) Consider investing in adjustable mounting systems so you can change panel angles throughout the year if needed - this can increase your overall production especially during seasons with lower solar irradiance like winter.
In conclusion, while Gherla, Cluj County, Romania is not the most ideal location for year-round solar energy production due to its seasonal variations, proper installation and maintenance can still make it a viable option.
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 114 locations across Romania. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Romania by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Gherla
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.0304, Longitude: 23.9208 (Gherla, Romania), 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 39° South in Gherla, Romania
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gherla, Romania (Lat/Long 47.0304, 23.9208) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Gherla, Romania
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 Gherla, Romania. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 60° South in Winter | 39° 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 Gherla, Romania
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 Gherla, Romania.
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 Gherla, Romania
Gherla, Romania is located in the Transylvania region and is characterized by a relatively flat landscape with some hilly areas. The region has a mix of agricultural land, forests, and developed urban areas. The Carpathian Mountains are to the east but do not significantly impact the topography of Gherla itself.
Considering large-scale solar PV installations, flat open spaces are generally most suitable as they allow for easier installation and maintenance, better sun exposure, and minimal shading. Therefore, underutilized agricultural lands around Gherla could be potential sites for such projects.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar PV isn't determined by topography alone. Factors such as local climate (sunlight hours), land use regulations, proximity to power grids (for energy transmission), and environmental considerations also play significant roles in determining if an area is suited to large-scale solar development.
Finally, any plan for large-scale solar PV should involve thorough site assessments including technical feasibility studies and consultations with local communities or stakeholders.
Romania solar PV Stats as a country
Romania ranks 39th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,398 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 3.40% of Romania's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 24th in the world). Each year Romania is generating 74 Watts from solar PV per capita (Romania ranks 43rd in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Romania?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Romania. The Romanian government offers a number of financial incentives and subsidies for businesses that invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include grants, tax deductions, and other forms of support. Additionally, the government has set up a Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RES) which provides additional funding for projects related to renewable energy sources such as solar power.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Romania? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 27th of January 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
