Cambrils, Catalonia, Spain, situated at latitude 41.0755 and longitude 1.0532, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this coastal town experiences varying levels of solar productivity across the seasons.

Seasonal Solar Output

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 7.32 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.76 kWh/day. Autumn sees a significant drop to 3.69 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.36 kWh/day.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the importance of proper system sizing to meet year-round energy needs. Despite the winter lull, Cambrils' location still allows for meaningful solar generation throughout the year, making it a suitable spot for solar PV installations.

Optimal Panel Placement

For fixed panel installations in Cambrils, Catalonia, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 35 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun and the lower winter sun angles.

Environmental Considerations

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

1. Coastal Location: Being a seaside town, Cambrils may experience salt spray, which can potentially corrode solar equipment over time. To mitigate this, installers should use marine-grade materials and apply protective coatings to the panels and mounting systems.

2. Occasional Dust Storms: The region can sometimes experience dust carried by winds from the Sahara Desert. Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels can help maintain optimal performance during these events.

3. Sporadic Heavy Rainfall: Although generally sunny, Cambrils can experience periods of heavy rainfall, particularly in autumn. Ensuring proper drainage systems are in place around the solar installation can prevent water accumulation and potential damage.

By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in Cambrils can operate efficiently and produce substantial clean energy throughout the year.

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 Cambrils

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.0755, Longitude: 1.0532 (Cambrils, 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 35° South in Cambrils, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cambrils, Spain (Lat/Long 41.0755, 1.0532) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Cambrils, 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 Cambrils, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° 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	45° South in Autumn	56° South in Winter	33° 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 Cambrils, 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 Cambrils, 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 Cambrils, Spain

Cambrils, a coastal town in Catalonia, Spain, is situated in an area with diverse topography. The town itself lies on a relatively flat coastal plain along the Mediterranean Sea. This plain extends for several kilometers inland before gradually transitioning into more varied terrain. As you move away from the coast, the landscape begins to undulate, with gentle hills and shallow valleys characterizing the immediate hinterland. These rolling hills become more pronounced as you travel further inland, eventually giving way to the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range. This mountain range, while not particularly high, provides a dramatic backdrop to the coastal region.

Coastal Features

The coastline near Cambrils is characterized by long stretches of sandy beaches interspersed with rocky outcrops. Small coves and inlets dot the shoreline, creating a picturesque Mediterranean landscape. The sea floor near the coast slopes gently, resulting in relatively shallow waters for some distance offshore.

Inland Topography

Moving inland, the terrain becomes more varied. The initial gentle slopes gradually increase in steepness, forming a series of terraced hillsides. These terraces have historically been used for agriculture, particularly olive groves and vineyards. As you progress further from the coast, the hills become more rugged and forested.

River Valleys

Several small rivers and streams cut through the landscape, creating fertile valleys that contrast with the surrounding hills. These waterways have played a crucial role in shaping the local topography, carving out gorges and depositing alluvial soils in the lowlands.

Potential for Solar PV

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations near Cambrils, several factors come into play. The gently sloping terrain inland from the coast offers promising locations. These areas benefit from ample sunlight exposure and are generally free from major obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. The terraced hillsides, while potentially more challenging for installation, could also be suitable. Their south-facing slopes would receive optimal sunlight throughout the day. However, care would need to be taken to avoid areas of significant agricultural or ecological importance. The flatter areas of the coastal plain, particularly those not suited for agriculture or urban development, could also be considered. These locations would offer easier access for construction and maintenance of solar facilities. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to balance energy production potential with environmental and land-use considerations. Areas of natural beauty, important habitats, or prime agricultural land would likely be less suitable for such developments. In conclusion, the varied topography around Cambrils offers several potential locations for solar PV installations. The most promising areas are likely to be found in the gently sloping hinterland and on south-facing hillsides, where sunlight exposure is optimal and land-use conflicts can be minimized.

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.