Solar PV Analysis of Otopeni, Romania
The location at Otopeni, Ilfov, Romania, is somewhat ideal for generating energy via solar PV year-round, although it's not the most perfect. This is because the amount of electricity that can be generated from solar changes with each season.
During summer and spring, you can expect to generate a good amount of electricity (6.70kWh/day in summer and 5.12kWh/day in spring per kW of installed solar). So these seasons are the best times to generate solar power at this location.
However, during autumn and winter, the output drops significantly (3.25kWh/day in autumn and 1.70kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar). That means you'll get less electricity from your solar panels during these seasons.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar panels here, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 38 degrees facing South if they're fixed panel installations.
There could potentially be some factors that could impede your solar production at this location such as environmental issues like pollution or dust on the panels which can reduce their efficiency; topography like mountains or tall buildings casting shadows on your panels; weather conditions such as prolonged periods without sunshine due to overcast skies or heavy snowfall covering your panels during winter; or other local factors like regulations limiting where you can install them.
Preventative measures that can be taken when installing your panels include regular cleaning to remove dust or snow cover; choosing a site for installation where there's minimal shadowing throughout the day and year; installing additional equipment like a tracker system that allows your panels to follow the sun across the sky for maximum exposure (although this would increase costs); checking local regulations before installation so there are no surprises later on regarding where you're allowed to install them etc.; monitoring weather forecasts regularly so you have an idea when less productive periods might occur due to lack of sunshine etc., allowing you plan accordingly for your energy needs.
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 Otopeni
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.55, Longitude: 26.0724 (Otopeni, 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 38° South in Otopeni, Romania
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Otopeni, Romania (Lat/Long 44.55, 26.0724) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 38° 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 Otopeni, 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 Otopeni, Romania. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 38° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29° South in Summer | 48° South in Autumn | 58° South in Winter | 37° 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 Otopeni, 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 Otopeni, 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 Otopeni, Romania
Otopeni is located in the southern part of Romania, in a region known as Wallachia. The topography around Otopeni is relatively flat with gentle rolling hills. It's situated on the București Plain, part of the larger Wallachian Plain.
As for suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, these would ideally be areas with high levels of sunlight and flat terrains to maximize energy production and minimize installation challenges. Given this:
1) The plains surrounding Otopeni could be suitable due to their flatness.
2) Unused agricultural lands or brownfield sites could also be potential locations if they are not being used for other purposes.
3) Areas close to existing power infrastructure would also be beneficial to reduce costs associated with transmitting the electricity generated from the solar PV system.
However, it's important to note that a thorough feasibility study should always be conducted before deciding on a location for such an installation. This study would consider various factors including land availability and use, local climate conditions (including annual hours of sunshine), proximity to power infrastructure, economic factors, and environmental impact assessments among others.
Please note that while Romania has made strides in renewable energy development over recent years - particularly wind energy - solar power development has been slower due partly to regulatory challenges and market conditions within the country.
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 24th of February 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.
