Solar PV Analysis of Alicante, Spain
Alicante, Valencia, Spain is a fairly good location for generating solar energy all year round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels installed here varies according to the season: in summer, you can expect about 7.54 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed; in autumn it drops to around 4.10 kWh/day; winter sees the lowest production with about 2.89 kWh/day; and spring produces around 5.72 kWh/day.
This means that while you'll get more electricity from your solar panels during the sunnier months like summer and spring, they will still work in autumn and winter - just not as efficiently because there's less sunlight available.
For best results at this location, your solar panels should be tilted at an angle of approximately 33 degrees towards the south - this helps them catch as much sunlight as possible over the course of a year.
There could be some local factors to consider when installing solar panels in Alicante though. For example, if there are lots of tall buildings or trees nearby that cast shadows on your property during parts of the day, these could block sunlight from reaching your panels and reduce their output.
The weather might also have an impact: although Alicante generally has a warm Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine throughout most of the year, heavy rain or storms could temporarily decrease production if they make skies cloudy or cover your panels with debris.
To mitigate these potential issues:
1) Try to install your solar array where it won't be shaded by nearby obstacles.
2) Regularly clean off any dirt or debris that collects on top of your panels.
3) Consider using equipment designed to withstand harsh weather conditions if storms are common in Alicante.
4) Monitor panel performance regularly so any problems can be detected and fixed promptly.
Remember though, even taking into account these challenges, Alicante's sunny climate makes it a good place for solar energy production overall.
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 Alicante
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.342, Longitude: -0.4825 (Alicante, 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 33° South in Alicante, Spain
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Alicante, Spain (Lat/Long 38.342, -0.4825) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Alicante, 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 Alicante, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 43° South in Autumn | 53° 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 Alicante, 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 Alicante, Spain.
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 Alicante, Spain
Alicante, Spain, is located in the southeastern part of the country on the Costa Blanca. The topography around Alicante varies from coastal plains to mountainous terrains. The city itself is relatively flat with a few hilly areas, while the surrounding region includes both mountains and valleys.
The climate in Alicante is Mediterranean, characterized by hot summers and mild winters with plenty of sunshine throughout the year. This makes it an ideal location for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV would be:
1. Flatland Areas: Large expanses of relatively flat land are ideal for setting up solar farms as they can accommodate more panels and are easier to install and maintain.
2. Coastal Plains: These areas receive abundant sunlight making them suitable for solar PV installations.
3. Unused Land: Any unused or barren lands that do not serve agricultural or other purposes could also be used for this purpose.
4. Rooftops: In urbanized regions like Alicante city, rooftops of commercial buildings can be utilized to set up smaller scale but multiple distributed solar PV systems which collectively contribute to a significant capacity.
It's important to note that any decision about where exactly to place these installations should take into account factors such as local regulations, environmental impact assessments, proximity to power grids or infrastructure needed to transport electricity generated etc., apart from just geographical suitability.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 13th of July 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.
