Solar Energy Potential in Slatina, Olt, Romania

Slatina, Olt, Romania, located at latitude 44.4311 and longitude 24.3632 in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers varying potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production. The solar energy output in Slatina follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer months are highly productive, generating approximately 7.05 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring also performs well with 5.13 kWh/day per installed kilowatt. However, production drops considerably during autumn to 3.17 kWh/day and reaches its lowest point in winter with just 1.75 kWh/day per kilowatt of installed capacity.

Seasonal Variations and Optimal Production Periods

The most productive period for solar energy in Slatina spans from late spring through early autumn, with peak performance occurring during the summer months. This makes May through September the ideal window for maximum solar energy generation. The substantial difference between summer and winter production (a ratio of about 4:1) highlights the seasonal nature of solar energy at this location. For fixed solar panel installations in Slatina, Olt, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 37 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize annual solar energy capture considering the location's latitude and seasonal solar patterns.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could impact solar production in Slatina:

• Winter snow accumulation can significantly reduce production if panels become covered, requiring regular clearing or steeper installation angles to promote natural snow shedding
• Occasional dust storms and agricultural activities in the region can deposit dirt on panels, necessitating periodic cleaning to maintain efficiency
• Morning fog, particularly in autumn and winter months, can delay peak production hours

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Slatina should incorporate several preventative measures. Using self-cleaning panel technologies or implementing regular maintenance schedules can address dust and debris accumulation. Snow sensors and heating elements might be worthwhile investments for commercial installations. Additionally, slightly increasing the tilt angle beyond the optimal 37 degrees might be considered if snow accumulation is a recurring concern, though this would marginally reduce overall annual production. Despite these seasonal variations, Slatina's location still provides viable solar energy potential, particularly if system sizing accounts for the significant winter production decrease.

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 107 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 Slatina

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.4311, Longitude: 24.3632 (Slatina, 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 37° South in Slatina, Romania

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Slatina, Romania (Lat/Long 44.4311, 24.3632) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Slatina, 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 Slatina, Romania. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
28° South in Summer	48° South in Autumn	58° South in Winter	36° 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 Slatina, 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 Slatina, 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 Slatina, Romania

The area surrounding Slatina, Romania presents a diverse topographic profile characteristic of the southern Romanian landscape. Situated in Olt County, Slatina lies within the Romanian Plain (Câmpia Română), specifically in the Olt River corridor. The topography is predominantly characterized by gently rolling plains and low hills, with elevations typically ranging between 150-250 meters above sea level. The Olt River, a major tributary of the Danube, flows through this region, creating a wide valley that has shaped the surrounding terrain over millennia. This river valley features alluvial plains with fertile soils that have traditionally supported agricultural activities. Moving away from the river, the landscape transitions into slightly more elevated terraces and low plateaus.

Regional Topographic Features

To the north of Slatina, the terrain gradually rises toward the foothills of the Southern Carpathians, creating a more undulating landscape with increasing elevation. These northern areas feature more pronounced hills and occasional small valleys carved by seasonal streams flowing toward the Olt River. The southern and eastern regions surrounding Slatina maintain a relatively flat to gently rolling character, typical of the broader Romanian Plain. This flatness extends for considerable distances, creating large open spaces with minimal topographic obstacles. The elevation differences in these areas are subtle, often changing by only 10-30 meters over several kilometers. Western areas feature similar plains but with occasional more pronounced hills and ridges, particularly as one moves toward the natural boundary formed by the Olt River valley.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development, the southern and southeastern plains surrounding Slatina offer particularly favorable conditions. These areas combine several advantageous characteristics: The flat to gently rolling terrain minimizes shading issues between solar arrays and reduces the complexity and cost of site preparation. These open plains also present fewer natural obstacles that would require removal or accommodation during construction. The slightly elevated plateaus to the east of Slatina merit special consideration, as they provide excellent exposure to solar radiation throughout the day with minimal obstruction from surrounding landscape features. These plateaus, typically 5-15 meters higher than the surrounding plains, experience less morning fog than lower-lying areas near the river. The southwestern regions beyond Slatina also present promising conditions for solar development, featuring extensive agricultural plains with good drainage and stable soil conditions. These areas have historically experienced less flooding than locations closer to the Olt River, making them more suitable for long-term infrastructure investment. Areas to potentially avoid include the immediate flood plains of the Olt River and the more steeply sloped hills to the north. The river plains, while flat, may present flooding risks during extreme weather events, while the northern hills create more complex construction conditions and potential shading issues due to their more varied elevations and slopes. The soil composition in the optimal areas typically consists of chernozem and brown-reddish forest soils, providing good stability for mounting systems while requiring relatively minimal site preparation compared to more complex geological formations.

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.