Salonta, Bihor County, Romania, situated at coordinates 46.7973, 21.6405 in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a varied landscape for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Salonta, Bihor County, with an impressive daily output of 6.85 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 4.95 kWh/day. Autumn sees a notable decrease in production at 3.05 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at just 1.44 kWh/day per kW installed.

These figures indicate that solar energy production in Salonta is most effective from late spring through early autumn. During this period, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased energy generation. However, the substantial drop in winter output suggests that supplementary energy sources may be necessary during the colder months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed-panel installations in Salonta, Bihor County, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 39 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and accounts for the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Salonta's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Snow accumulation in winter can reduce panel efficiency
• Dust and pollen during spring and summer may affect panel performance

To mitigate these issues, regular panel cleaning and the installation of snow guards can help maintain optimal energy production. Additionally, using panels with anti-soiling coatings can minimize the impact of dust and pollen accumulation.

In conclusion, while Salonta experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, proper panel installation and maintenance can help maximize energy production throughout the year. The location's potential for solar energy generation is particularly promising during the warmer months, making it a viable option for supplementing local 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 Salonta

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.7973, Longitude: 21.6405 (Salonta, 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 Salonta, Romania

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Salonta, Romania (Lat/Long 46.7973, 21.6405) 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 Salonta, 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 Salonta, 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 Salonta, 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 Salonta, Romania.

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 Salonta, Romania

The area surrounding Salonta, Romania, located at approximately 46.7973°N latitude and 21.6405°E longitude, is characterized by a predominantly flat to gently rolling landscape. This region is part of the expansive Pannonian Plain, which extends across much of Hungary and into parts of Romania, Serbia, and other neighboring countries. The topography around Salonta is generally low-lying, with elevations typically ranging from about 90 to 120 meters above sea level. The terrain is primarily composed of fertile agricultural land, interspersed with scattered patches of woodland and small water bodies. The Crișul Negru River flows near the town, contributing to the area's gentle contours and occasional floodplains. To the east and southeast of Salonta, the land gradually rises towards the foothills of the Apuseni Mountains, part of the Western Carpathians. However, these more elevated areas are still quite distant from the immediate vicinity of Salonta, which remains largely flat.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The flat terrain surrounding Salonta offers numerous advantages for solar energy development: Firstly, the expansive agricultural lands to the north, west, and south of Salonta present ideal conditions for solar farms. These areas benefit from minimal shading and obstruction, allowing for maximum solar exposure throughout the day. The flat topography also simplifies construction and maintenance of solar arrays, reducing overall project costs. Secondly, regions slightly to the east of Salonta, where the land begins to gently rise, could potentially offer even better conditions for solar PV. These slightly elevated areas may experience less fog and benefit from clearer skies, potentially increasing solar energy yield. It's important to note that while the topography is favorable, other factors such as grid connectivity, land ownership, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when selecting specific sites for large-scale solar PV projects. Additionally, care should be taken to balance solar energy development with the preservation of valuable agricultural land, which is a significant resource in this region. Overall, the flat, open landscape surrounding Salonta provides numerous opportunities for solar energy development, making it a potentially attractive location for large-scale solar PV installations.

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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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.