Alboraya, Valencia, Spain, situated at latitude 39.5059 and longitude -0.3489, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this Mediterranean town experiences varying levels of solar potential across the seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Alboraya fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.37 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.54 kWh/day. Autumn sees a decrease in production to 3.94 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.72 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Alboraya is particularly well-suited for solar energy production during the warmer months, from late spring through early autumn. The extended daylight hours and clearer skies during this period contribute to the higher energy yield.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Alboraya, Valencia, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 34 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Alboraya generally provides favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

1. Dust and salt: Being close to the Mediterranean coast, salt spray and dust accumulation on panels could potentially reduce efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue.

2. Occasional extreme weather: Although rare, severe weather events like hailstorms or strong winds could pose a risk to solar installations. Using durable, high-quality panels and secure mounting systems can help protect against such occurrences.

3. Shading from nearby structures or vegetation: As Alboraya is a developed area, nearby buildings or trees might cast shadows on solar panels. Careful site assessment and strategic panel placement can minimize this impact.

By addressing these factors during the installation process and maintaining the system regularly, Alboraya residents can ensure optimal solar energy production throughout the year, taking full advantage of the area's abundant sunlight, especially during the warmer months.

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 Alboraya

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.5059, Longitude: -0.3489 (Alboraya, 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 Alboraya, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Alboraya, Spain (Lat/Long 39.5059, -0.3489) 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 Alboraya, 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 Alboraya, 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	44° South in Autumn	54° South in Winter	32° 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 Alboraya, 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 Alboraya, 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 Alboraya, Spain

The topography around Alboraya, Spain, is characterized by a predominantly flat coastal plain. This area, located just north of Valencia on the eastern coast of Spain, is part of the fertile region known as L'Horta Nord. The landscape is primarily composed of low-lying agricultural land, with elevations generally ranging from sea level to about 30 meters above sea level. To the west of Alboraya, the terrain gradually begins to rise towards the foothills of the Sistema Ibérico mountain range, but this transition occurs several kilometers inland from the town itself. The immediate vicinity of Alboraya is remarkably level, making it ideal for agriculture. This flatness extends along the coastline both north and south of the town. The area is crisscrossed by a network of irrigation channels, a legacy of the Moorish agricultural system that has been maintained for centuries. These channels, along with the Carraixet ravine that runs to the north of Alboraya, are the main topographical features that break up the otherwise uniform landscape.

Suitability 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 around Alboraya offers advantages for solar PV development, as it reduces construction costs and simplifies maintenance. However, the high agricultural value of the land in the immediate vicinity may present conflicts with solar development. The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV would likely be found slightly inland, where the land begins to rise and becomes less suitable for intensive agriculture. These areas, located to the west and northwest of Alboraya, would offer the following benefits: 1. Reduced competition with prime agricultural land 2. Potentially higher elevations, which can increase solar exposure 3. Less urbanized areas, providing more space for large installations It's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, local zoning regulations, and the cultural significance of the traditional agricultural landscape. The ideal locations would balance the need for renewable energy with the preservation of the region's agricultural heritage and natural ecosystems.

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!

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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.