Alberic, Valencia, Spain, situated at latitude 39.1193 and longitude -0.5158, offers a reasonably good location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This Mediterranean location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, making it more productive during certain periods than others.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Alberic demonstrate clear seasonal patterns in energy generation. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with panels generating approximately 7.37kWh per day for each kilowatt installed. Spring follows as the second most productive season, yielding about 5.54kWh daily per kilowatt. Production drops considerably during autumn to 3.94kWh/day and reaches its lowest point in winter at just 2.72kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This seasonal pattern creates a nearly three-fold difference between the best and worst producing months, with summer generating almost three times more energy than winter. This variation is significant but expected for locations in the Northern Temperate Zone.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Alberic, Valencia, the ideal tilt angle is 34 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to maximize year-round energy production by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting the angle based on daily photovoltaic potential.

While adjustable systems could theoretically capture more energy by changing tilt seasonally, the 34-degree fixed angle represents the best compromise for year-round production without requiring manual adjustments or more expensive tracking systems.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Alberic:

• Dust and pollen: The agricultural areas surrounding Alberic can generate significant dust and pollen that may accumulate on panels, reducing efficiency. Regular cleaning schedules or self-cleaning panel options can mitigate this issue.
• Occasional heat waves: Mediterranean summer temperatures can exceed optimal operating temperatures for solar panels, slightly reducing efficiency during the hottest days. Ensuring proper airflow behind panels during installation can help manage this issue.
• Sporadic hailstorms: While rare, the region can experience hailstorms that might damage panels. Selecting hail-resistant panels with tempered glass can provide protection against most hail events.

Despite these considerations, Alberic remains a favorable location for solar energy production, particularly from late spring through early autumn. The region's abundant sunshine, especially during summer months, makes solar PV a viable renewable energy option for this Spanish location.

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 361 locations across Spain. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Spain by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Alberic

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.1193, Longitude: -0.5158 (Alberic, Spain), 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 34° South in Alberic, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Alberic, Spain (Lat/Long 39.1193, -0.5158) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Alberic, Spain

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 Alberic, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
23° South in Summer	43° South in Autumn	54° South in Winter	31° 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 Alberic, Spain

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 Alberic, Spain.

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 Alberic, Spain

The topography surrounding Alberic, Spain presents a diverse and varied landscape. Situated in the province of Valencia in the eastern part of the country, Alberic is nestled in the Ribera Alta comarca, about 40 kilometers south of Valencia city. The terrain around Alberic is characterized by a mixture of flat agricultural plains and gentle rolling hills, with more pronounced elevations visible in the distance. The immediate vicinity of Alberic features the fertile plain of the Júcar River valley, which has been extensively cultivated for centuries. This flat alluvial plain, known locally as "La Ribera," provides rich soil that supports extensive agricultural activity, particularly citrus orchards which are prominent in the region. The Júcar River itself meanders through this landscape, having shaped the topography over millennia.

Surrounding Elevations

To the west of Alberic, the terrain gradually rises into a series of low hills and eventually into more substantial mountains. These western highlands form part of the broader Iberian Mountain System. The transition from the flat river valley to these elevated areas creates a visually striking landscape gradient. To the east, the terrain remains relatively flat as it extends toward the Mediterranean coastline, which lies approximately 30 kilometers away. This eastern plain continues the agricultural character of the immediate surroundings.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas near Alberic present favorable conditions. The flat agricultural plains to the east and southeast of Alberic offer extensive open spaces with minimal shadowing from topographical features. These areas benefit from the region's Mediterranean climate and would provide ample space for solar array deployment. The gently sloping areas at the transition between the river valley and the western hills also present interesting opportunities for solar development. These slightly elevated positions can sometimes benefit from reduced morning fog compared to the lowest parts of the river valley, potentially allowing for earlier solar energy capture. Areas of particular interest would include the slightly elevated plateaus southwest of Alberic, where the land begins to rise but remains relatively flat. These locations combine good solar exposure with proximity to existing infrastructure, making them potentially ideal for large-scale installations. The agricultural character of much of the surrounding land does present some considerations regarding land use, as productive farmland may not be the most appropriate choice for solar development. However, there are numerous areas of less productive land or abandoned agricultural plots that could be repurposed for solar energy production.

Topographical Considerations

When considering solar PV placement in this region, it's worth noting that the overall gentle nature of the topography means that most areas receive good solar exposure throughout the day. The primary topographical limitations would be found in the more pronounced western hills, where eastern slopes might experience some morning shadowing, and in any narrow valleys where neighboring elevations could create shadows during certain parts of the day. The Alberic region's position between the Mediterranean Sea and the interior highlands creates a transitional landscape that generally favors solar energy development, with abundant flat and gently sloping terrain that would require minimal grading or specialized mounting systems for large-scale solar installations.

Spain solar PV Stats as a country

Spain ranks 10th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 15,952 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 9.00% of Spain's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 6th in the world). Each year Spain is generating 237 Watts from solar PV per capita (Spain ranks 20th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Spain?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Spain. These include the following:



1. The Spanish government offers a feed-in tariff (FIT) for businesses that install solar energy systems. This FIT guarantees a fixed price per kWh of electricity generated by the system over a period of 20 years.



2. Businesses can also benefit from tax deductions and other financial incentives when installing solar energy systems in Spain.



3. Companies may be eligible for grants or subsidies from regional governments or local authorities to help cover the cost of installation and maintenance of their solar energy systems.



4. Businesses may also be able to take advantage of net metering, which allows them to sell excess electricity generated by their solar energy system back into the grid at market prices, thus reducing their overall electricity costs even further.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Spain? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

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.