Solar Energy Production in Erandio, Spain

Erandio, Spain, located in the Basque Country, offers moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. This northern Spanish location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar production capacity, which affects the overall efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems installed there. During summer, Erandio achieves its peak solar production with 5.98 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind with a respectable 5.21 kWh/day production rate. These warmer seasons, particularly from April through September, represent the optimal period for solar energy generation in this region. The autumn months show a substantial decrease in production, dropping to 3.11 kWh/day. Winter presents the most challenging period for solar generation in Erandio, with output falling to just 1.69 kWh/day per installed kilowatt. This significant seasonal variation means annual solar production is uneven, with approximately 70% of annual energy being generated during the spring and summer months. For fixed solar panel installations in Erandio, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 37 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to optimize the annual solar harvest based on Erandio's specific latitude and local solar conditions.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several environmental factors in Erandio may impact solar energy production:

• The region's northern coastal location means it experiences considerable rainfall and cloud cover throughout the year, particularly during autumn and winter months.
• Marine air can contribute to salt deposition on panels, potentially reducing efficiency if not regularly maintained.
• Morning fog and mist are common in this coastal area, which can delay peak production hours.

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Erandio should incorporate several preventative measures. Self-cleaning panel technologies or regular maintenance schedules can address salt and pollution buildup. Installing slightly more capacity than needed can help compensate for the low winter production. Additionally, using high-efficiency panels designed to perform better in diffuse light conditions can improve energy capture during cloudy periods. While Erandio may not offer the ideal solar conditions found in southern Spain, a properly designed system with the correct tilt angle can still provide meaningful energy production, particularly during the productive spring and summer months.

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 Erandio

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.3014, Longitude: -2.9516 (Erandio, 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 Erandio, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Erandio, Spain (Lat/Long 43.3014, -2.9516) 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 Erandio, 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 Erandio, 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 Erandio, 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 Erandio, 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 Erandio, Spain

The topography surrounding Erandio, Spain presents a diverse landscape characterized by a combination of coastal lowlands and hilly terrain. Located in the Basque Country of northern Spain, Erandio sits along the Nervión River estuary, which flows into the Bay of Biscay. The immediate area features relatively flat terrain near the river, gradually rising into rolling hills and more pronounced elevations as one moves away from the coast. The region exhibits a typical Atlantic-influenced topography, with numerous small valleys carved by streams and tributaries flowing toward the main river. These valleys create a pattern of ridges and depressions throughout the landscape. Elevations in the immediate vicinity of Erandio range from near sea level along the river to approximately 200-300 meters in the surrounding hills.

Surrounding Terrain Features

To the east and south of Erandio, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly, forming part of the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains. These areas feature steeper slopes with varying aspects (directions the slopes face). The natural vegetation on these hillsides consists primarily of mixed deciduous forests and meadows, indicating the region's abundant rainfall. The western side of Erandio opens toward the broader Nervión estuary and eventually the Bay of Biscay. This coastal influence moderates the climate, though the area experiences considerable cloud cover throughout the year due to maritime air masses.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several factors must be considered, including slope, aspect, accessibility, and land use constraints. In the vicinity of Erandio, the most suitable areas for solar PV development would likely be: The broader plateau areas south and southeast of Erandio offer more favorable conditions for solar installations. These areas provide relatively level terrain at higher elevations, potentially reducing issues with morning fog or coastal cloud cover that might affect locations closer to the sea. South-facing slopes in the hills surrounding Erandio could also be appropriate for solar development, as they would receive more direct sunlight throughout the day. Particularly promising are the gentler south-facing hillsides between Erandio and municipalities further inland. Some of the industrial zones along the Nervión corridor, where flat, already-developed land might be repurposed for solar installations, could present opportunities for solar deployment without disrupting natural habitats. It's worth noting that the Basque Country region faces challenges for large-scale solar deployment compared to southern Spain. The northern location experiences more frequent cloud cover and rainfall due to the Atlantic influence. Additionally, the hilly terrain means that many potential sites have space limitations compared to the vast flat areas available in central and southern Spain. Land use considerations are also important, as the region balances urban development, industrial activities, agriculture, and forest conservation. Any large-scale solar development would need to address these competing priorities for land use in what is a relatively densely populated area of Spain.

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.