Solar PV Analysis of Collado Villalba, Spain
The location of Collado Villalba, Madrid, Spain is decent for generating solar energy year-round, but it varies depending on the season. In simpler terms, how much electricity you can get from your solar panels changes throughout the year.
During summer, each kilowatt of installed solar power could give you around 8.02 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day. This number drops to about 4.12 kilowatt-hours in autumn and even lower to about 2.52 kilowatt-hours during winter days. However, in springtime, the output increases again to approximately 5.89 kilowatt-hours per day.
So if we look at these numbers closely, we see that summer is clearly the best time for generating solar energy at this location with high daily output levels due to longer daylight hours and stronger sunlight intensity.
However, even in less ideal seasons like autumn and winter where there's less sunlight because days are shorter and sun is weaker; some amount of electricity can still be generated from your installed solar power system albeit not as much as during summer or spring.
For optimum results year-round though irrespective of seasonal changes; it's recommended that any fixed panel installation here should have panels tilted at an angle of 35 degrees facing South which helps capture maximum sunlight over course of a whole year thus ensuring greatest possible total production from your Solar PV system.
As far as environmental or weather factors potentially impeding solar production here go; one thing worth mentioning might be occasional cloudy or rainy weather which naturally reduces exposure to direct sunlight hence affecting overall output levels negatively since less light reaches panels under such conditions compared to clear sunny days when they can operate at their full capacity without any hindrance whatsoever.
To counter this issue somewhat though; one preventive measure that could be taken while installing a new Solar PV system here would involve using latest technology modules with higher efficiency ratings capable not just capturing more light but also converting it into usable electricity more effectively. Additionally, regular maintenance and cleaning of panels can also help ensure they continue to function at their best despite any adverse weather conditions or environmental factors by removing accumulated dust or debris which might otherwise limit their performance over time.
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 Collado Villalba
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.6467, Longitude: -3.995 (Collado Villalba, 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 Collado Villalba, Spain
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Collado Villalba, Spain (Lat/Long 40.6467, -3.995) 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 Collado Villalba, 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 Collado Villalba, 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 | 55° 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 Collado Villalba, 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 Collado Villalba, 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 Collado Villalba, Spain
Collado Villalba is located in the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range, part of the larger Sistema Central. The area features a hilly and mountainous terrain with an elevation that varies between 917 to 1,084 meters above sea level. This topography means that there are many slopes and limited flat areas.
However, despite its mountainous nature, it is still possible to install solar PV systems in Collado Villalba. Mountainous regions can be suitable for solar power if they receive a significant amount of sunlight throughout the year. Given Spain's sunny climate, this could potentially be feasible in Collado Villalba.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV would likely be the flatter regions around Collado Villalba or southwards towards Madrid where the terrain becomes less rugged and more open. These locations would provide more space for installation and may offer better sun exposure due to fewer obstructions from mountains or hills.
It's also worth noting that rooftops within urbanized areas like central Collado Villalba itself could also host smaller scale photovoltaic installations which collectively could contribute significantly towards renewable energy generation.
Ultimately, detailed site surveys including analysis of local weather patterns (especially sunshine hours), land availability/ownership, grid connection possibilities etc., will need to be conducted before any specific sites can be identified as being most suited for large-scale solar PV installation.
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: Wednesday 29th of May 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.
