Solar PV Analysis of Barcelona, Spain
The location in Barcelona, Spain (latitude 41.3873974, longitude 2.168568) is well-suited for generating solar power throughout the year due to its position within the Northern Temperate Zone and favorable average daily solar irradiance levels. In this region, the average energy production per day per kW of installed solar capacity varies by season: 7.16 kWh in summer, 3.58 kWh in autumn, 2.45 kWh in winter, and 5.55 kWh in spring.
To optimize energy generation across all seasons at this location, it is advisable to install fixed solar panels with a tilt angle of 36 degrees facing southward. This orientation allows for maximum sunlight exposure and efficient capture of the sun's rays.
Nonetheless, certain environmental factors could potentially impact solar power production at this site. For instance, strong winds or heavy rain may lead to reduced sunlight exposure due to increased cloud cover or other atmospheric conditions that affect visibility and light transmission levels on any given day.
To mitigate these potential challenges and ensure greater energy production from a solar PV system installed at this location, it is essential to consider implementing preventative measures such as selecting high-quality panels with better performance under low-light conditions or incorporating weather-resistant mounting systems designed to withstand harsh weather events like strong winds or heavy rainfall.
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 87 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
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Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Barcelona
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.3873974, Longitude: 2.168568 (Barcelona, 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 36° South in Barcelona, Spain
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Barcelona, Spain (Lat/Long 41.3873974, 2.168568) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Barcelona, 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 Barcelona, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 56° South in Winter | 34° 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.
Topography for solar PV around Barcelona, Spain
The topography around Barcelona, Spain is generally flat and low-lying. The city lies near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and is surrounded by hills on three sides. The most suitable areas for large scale solar PV installations are those with direct access to sunlight and relatively flat terrain, such as coastal plains or open fields. Areas in the immediate vicinity of Barcelona that would be well-suited for solar PV include El Prat de Llobregat, Sant Boi de Llobregat, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Just Desvern, and Castelldefels.
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.
