El Vendrell, Spain, located at latitude 41.2229 and longitude 1.5309 in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers varying potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The coastal town in Catalonia experiences significant seasonal differences in solar electricity production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panels in El Vendrell perform exceptionally well during summer months, generating approximately 7.32kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.76kWh/day. Autumn yields moderate results at 3.69kWh/day, while winter performance drops considerably to just 2.36kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This seasonal pattern creates a more than threefold difference between summer and winter production, typical of mid-latitude locations in the Northern Hemisphere. The substantial summer performance makes this an attractive location for solar investment, particularly for applications where summer consumption is high.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed-panel installations in El Vendrell, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 35 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the annual solar harvest by balancing seasonal variations in sun height while accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit and local solar irradiance patterns.

Environmental Considerations

El Vendrell's Mediterranean coastal location presents some environmental factors that could affect solar production. Salt air from the nearby Mediterranean Sea may gradually corrode equipment if not properly protected. Installing marine-grade components and ensuring proper sealing of electrical connections can mitigate this issue.

Summer dust accumulation from the region's dry periods can reduce panel efficiency by 5-10%. Implementing a regular cleaning schedule, particularly after calima events (when Saharan dust blows northward), and installing self-cleaning panels can help maintain optimal performance.

Winter and autumn fog from the Mediterranean can occasionally reduce morning production. Mounting panels slightly higher than minimum requirements can sometimes place them above low-lying fog, improving performance during these conditions.

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 Vendrell

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.2229, Longitude: 1.5309 (El Vendrell, 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 El Vendrell, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in El Vendrell, Spain (Lat/Long 41.2229, 1.5309) 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 El Vendrell, 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 Vendrell, 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	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.

Calculate solar panel row spacing in El Vendrell, 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 Vendrell, 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 Vendrell, Spain

El Vendrell is located in the Baix Penedès region of Catalonia, Spain, nestled between the Mediterranean coastline and the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range. The topography of this area presents a diverse landscape characterized by gentle coastal plains that gradually rise into rolling hills and eventually into more pronounced elevations as one moves inland.

Coastal Plains and Lowlands

The eastern portion of El Vendrell features relatively flat coastal plains that extend from the Mediterranean shoreline. These lowlands, part of the broader Penedès Depression, have elevations typically ranging from sea level to about 100 meters. The terrain here is characterized by mild slopes with gradual inclines moving away from the coast. This area has historically been utilized for agriculture, particularly vineyards, as the gentle topography allows for effective cultivation.

Central Hills and Valleys

Moving slightly inland, the landscape transitions to a series of undulating hills and small valleys. These formations create a patchwork of varying elevations between 100-250 meters above sea level. The terrain becomes more irregular with moderate slopes and occasional plateaus. These central hills are part of the transitional zone between the coastal plains and the more substantial mountain ranges further inland.

Pre-Coastal Mountain Influence

To the northwest of El Vendrell, the topography becomes increasingly dominated by the influence of the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range (Serralada Prelitoral). While the main peaks of this range lie further inland, their foothills create more pronounced relief in the northwestern sectors of the El Vendrell area. Elevations in these zones can reach 300-400 meters, with steeper slopes and more defined ridgelines.

Drainage Features

The area is crossed by several seasonal streams and small rivers that have carved shallow valleys throughout the landscape. The Foix River and its tributaries represent the primary drainage system, creating natural corridors through the varying topography. These watercourses have, over time, contributed to the formation of alluvial plains in certain sections, particularly near the coast.

Solar PV Suitability

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the most suitable areas near El Vendrell would be found in the central and western portions of the region. The gently sloping hills that characterize the transition zone between the coastal plains and the pre-coastal mountains offer several advantages for solar development: The elevated plateaus and south-facing slopes in the central hills provide optimal conditions for solar exposure. These areas, typically between 150-250 meters elevation, benefit from reduced coastal humidity while maintaining accessible terrain for construction and maintenance. The northwestern sectors, where the landscape begins to rise more significantly, contain numerous natural terraces and relatively flat hilltops that could accommodate substantial solar arrays. These locations often have minimal shading from surrounding topography, maximizing potential solar capture throughout the day. Areas along the broader valleys of the region's small river systems offer expansive, relatively flat terrain that could support large contiguous installations. These locations typically have good road access and are sufficiently elevated to avoid flood concerns while remaining easily developable. The agricultural plains west of El Vendrell, which extend toward Vilafranca del Penedès, present extensive areas of consistent, gentle topography. These zones, primarily between 100-200 meters elevation, combine favorable solar exposure with practical development conditions. Less suitable for large-scale solar development would be the immediate coastal areas (due to higher land values and tourism development), the steepest portions of the pre-coastal mountain foothills (challenging construction conditions), and the active floodplains of the region's watercourses.

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.