Solar PV Analysis of Bilbao, Spain
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain is a decent location for solar energy production throughout the year, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity you can generate from solar panels changes with the seasons. In summer and spring, you can expect to get a good amount of power - around 6.02 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.26 kWh/day in spring for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity.
However, in autumn and winter, the power output drops significantly to about 3.18 kWh/day and 1.75 kWh/day respectively due to shorter days and less sunlight intensity.
If you're setting up fixed solar panels here, tilting them at an angle facing southwards by about 37 degrees would help capture as much sunlight as possible over the course of a year.
There could be some local factors that might affect your solar energy production though. Bilbao is known for its rainy weather which could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels especially during autumn and winter when rainfall frequency tends to increase. Overcast or cloudy conditions also mean less light hitting your panels which results in lower energy output.
Also consider potential physical obstructions like buildings or trees that might cast shadows on your panels during different times of day or year; these will also reduce how much sun reaches your panels.
To ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Regularly clean off any debris or dirt from the panel surfaces so they can absorb maximum sunlight.
2) Consider installing tracking systems that move your panels so they always face directly towards the sun; this way even if there are fewer hours of daylight during certain seasons, you still maximize what's available.
3) Use high-efficiency modules designed to perform well under low-light conditions.
4) If feasible based on site characteristics & budget considerations, consider installing additional capacity to compensate for periods with less sunshine.
5) Ensure that the installation site is free from potential shading objects.
In conclusion, while Bilbao may not be the absolute best location for solar energy due to its weather patterns and seasonal changes, with appropriate measures and considerations in place it can still be a viable option for generating renewable energy year-round.
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 Bilbao
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.2481, Longitude: -2.9209 (Bilbao, 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 37° South in Bilbao, Spain
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bilbao, Spain (Lat/Long 43.2481, -2.9209) 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 Bilbao, 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 Bilbao, Spain. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° South in Summer | 47° 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 Bilbao, 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 Bilbao, 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 Bilbao, Spain
Bilbao, Spain is located in the northern part of the country and is surrounded by two small mountain ranges with an average elevation of 400 meters. The city itself lies in a valley and is intersected by the Nervión River. The topography around Bilbao includes mountains, hills, forested areas, and coastal regions.
When considering large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are typically preferred as they require less site preparation work and can accommodate more panels. Given this criteria, valleys or lower-lying flat lands near Bilbao could be potential sites for such installations.
However, it's important to note that the region's climate should also be taken into account when planning for solar energy projects. Northern Spain generally has cooler temperatures and receives less sunlight compared to southern parts like Andalusia which have more consistent sun exposure throughout the year.
Therefore while there may be suitable physical locations around Bilbao for large-scale solar PVs based on topography alone; factors such as cloud cover frequency, hours of sunlight per day (insolation), local regulations regarding land use etc., would need to be considered before determining suitability for a successful deployment of a solar power project.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 27th of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
