El Ejido, Andalusia, Spain, situated at coordinates 36.7224, -2.8428 in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, with some seasonal variations in output.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy production in El Ejido follows a predictable seasonal pattern, with the highest yields during summer months. For each kilowatt of installed solar capacity, the system produces approximately 7.60 kWh per day during summer, making this the peak season for solar generation.

Spring follows as the second most productive season, with daily yields of about 6.12 kWh per kilowatt installed. Production decreases significantly during autumn, generating around 4.58 kWh daily per kilowatt, while winter represents the lowest output period with approximately 3.29 kWh per day per kilowatt installed.

This seasonal pattern creates a substantial difference between summer and winter production, with summer generating more than twice the electricity of winter months. However, even during winter, El Ejido maintains reasonable solar production compared to many European locations.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in El Ejido, Andalusia, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 32 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the capture of solar radiation throughout the year, balancing the seasonal variations in sun position.

Environmental Considerations

While El Ejido enjoys generally favorable conditions for solar production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The area occasionally experiences dust storms due to its proximity to semi-arid terrain, which can temporarily reduce panel efficiency by creating a coating on panel surfaces. Installing automated cleaning systems or implementing regular maintenance schedules can mitigate this issue.

Additionally, the region can experience high temperatures in summer months, which may slightly reduce panel efficiency as solar panels typically perform best at moderate temperatures. Using panels with better heat tolerance and ensuring adequate airflow beneath the panels during installation can help maintain efficiency during hot periods.

Despite these minor challenges, El Ejido remains an excellent location for solar PV installations, with strong year-round production potential that peaks during the long, sunny summer days and maintains reasonable output even during the shorter winter days.

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 El Ejido

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.7224, Longitude: -2.8428 (El Ejido, 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 32° South in El Ejido, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in El Ejido, Spain (Lat/Long 36.7224, -2.8428) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 El Ejido, 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 El Ejido, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
20° South in Summer	41° South in Autumn	51° South in Winter	29° 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 El Ejido, 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 El Ejido, 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 El Ejido, Spain

El Ejido is situated in the province of Almería in southeastern Spain, characterized by a distinctive topographical landscape that combines coastal plains with mountainous terrain. The area forms part of the Campo de Dalías, a flat plain that extends between the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the Sierra de Gádor mountain range to the north.

Coastal Plains

The immediate surroundings of El Ejido consist primarily of a wide, flat plain that gently slopes toward the Mediterranean coastline. This coastal plain, spanning approximately 330 square kilometers, sits at a relatively low elevation, generally between 0 and 200 meters above sea level. The flatness of this terrain has made it ideal for intensive agriculture, particularly greenhouse cultivation, earning the region its nickname as "the sea of plastic" due to the vast expanse of greenhouse structures visible from above.

Mountain Backdrop

To the north of El Ejido rises the imposing Sierra de Gádor mountain range, which forms a natural barrier and dramatic backdrop to the plain. These mountains reach heights of over 2,000 meters and create a significant topographical contrast with the flat lands below. The transition between the plain and mountains is relatively abrupt, with the terrain quickly becoming steeper and more rugged as one moves northward from the town.

Hydrological Features

The area has limited natural surface water, with seasonal wadis (ramblas) that remain dry most of the year but can carry water during rare heavy rainfall events. The main hydrological resources are underground aquifers beneath the plain, which have historically supported agricultural development in this semi-arid region.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas around El Ejido present favorable conditions: The central and eastern portions of the Campo de Dalías plain offer extensive flat terrain with minimal shading concerns. These areas benefit from the clear skies characteristic of Almería province and minimal shadowing from geographical features. The flat topography minimizes earthwork requirements and simplifies construction logistics. The slightly elevated terraces that form the transition zone between the plain and the Sierra de Gádor foothills provide good exposure while being less valuable for agricultural purposes. These transitional zones, particularly to the northeast of El Ejido, combine favorable solar exposure with reduced competition from intensive agriculture. The western sections of the plain toward Adra offer similar advantages of flat terrain with good exposure, though some areas may have more agricultural competition. Areas to avoid would include the steeper slopes of the Sierra de Gádor, which, while receiving excellent solar radiation, would present significant construction challenges and higher environmental impact. Similarly, areas closest to the coast should be avoided due to higher humidity levels, potential salt spray concerns, and tourism-related land value considerations. The semi-arid climate of the region, with minimal rainfall and cloud cover throughout the year, enhances the suitability of the entire area for solar energy production. The clear atmospheric conditions contribute to exceptional solar radiation intensity across the Campo de Dalías plain, making even marginally suitable topographical locations potentially viable for solar PV development.

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.