Figueres, Catalonia, Spain presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar PV energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this Northern Temperate Zone location shows dramatic differences throughout the year. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 6.61 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it an excellent season for solar generation. Spring also provides solid output at 5.14 kWh per day per kW, offering good energy production during this period. However, the location faces considerable challenges during cooler months. Autumn drops to 3.42 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most significant limitation at just 2.24 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. This winter figure represents only about one-third of the summer output, creating substantial seasonal energy production gaps.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For fixed panel installations at Figueres, Catalonia, the ideal tilt angle is 37 degrees facing south to maximize total year-round solar production. This angle has been calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles at this latitude, determining optimal panel positioning, and weighting these angles using solar irradiance data while accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit.

Local Environmental Factors

Several environmental and weather factors in the Figueres area can potentially impact solar energy production:

• Mediterranean dust and particulates: The region's proximity to North Africa means occasional dust storms and airborne particles can accumulate on solar panels, reducing efficiency
• Seasonal cloud cover: Winter months typically bring increased cloud coverage, contributing to the reduced energy output during this period
• Coastal moisture: Being relatively close to the Mediterranean coast, salt air and humidity can affect panel surfaces over time
• Agricultural activities: The surrounding agricultural region may generate dust and debris during harvest seasons

Preventative Measures for Enhanced Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove beneficial: Regular cleaning schedules become essential, particularly during dusty periods and after weather events. Installing panels with easy access for maintenance helps ensure consistent cleaning without excessive costs or safety risks. Choosing high-quality anti-reflective coatings and hydrophobic surface treatments can help panels self-clean during rain events and resist dust accumulation. These coatings also improve light absorption efficiency. Proper spacing between panel rows prevents shading issues and allows for adequate air circulation, which helps maintain optimal operating temperatures and reduces moisture-related problems. Installing monitoring systems enables quick identification of performance drops, allowing for prompt maintenance responses when environmental factors begin impacting energy output.

Overall Assessment

While Figueres offers excellent summer solar potential and decent spring performance, the significant winter reduction in output means this location works best for installations that can accommodate seasonal variations. The strong summer performance helps offset winter limitations, making it a reasonably viable location for solar PV systems with proper planning and maintenance protocols.

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 Figueres

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.2668, Longitude: 2.9576 (Figueres, 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 Figueres, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Figueres, Spain (Lat/Long 42.2668, 2.9576) 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 Figueres, 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 Figueres, 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
26° South in Summer	47° South in Autumn	57° South in Winter	35° 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 Figueres, 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 Figueres, 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 Figueres, Spain

Topographical Features of Figueres

Figueres sits in the northeastern corner of Catalonia, positioned within the broad Empordà plain that stretches between the Pyrenees mountains to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the east. The city itself occupies relatively flat terrain at an elevation of approximately 40 meters above sea level, making it part of the gentle undulating landscape that characterizes this fertile agricultural region.

The surrounding topography is dominated by the expansive plain known as the Alt Empordà, which extends northward toward the French border and southward toward the coast. This plain represents one of the most geographically favorable areas in Catalonia, with minimal elevation changes and broad, open spaces that have historically supported intensive agriculture, particularly olive groves, vineyards, and cereal crops.

Mountain Influences and Drainage Patterns

To the west and northwest of Figueres, the landscape gradually rises toward the foothills of the Pyrenees, with the Albera range forming a natural barrier along the French border. These mountains reach modest heights compared to the main Pyrenean chain, typically ranging from 500 to 1,200 meters in elevation. The transition from the plain to the foothills creates a series of gentle slopes and terraced hillsides that have been shaped by centuries of agricultural use.

The drainage pattern in the area is influenced by several small rivers and streams that flow generally eastward toward the Mediterranean. The Muga River system, along with various seasonal watercourses, creates a network of shallow valleys and slight depressions across the plain. These waterways contribute to the overall flatness of the terrain while providing natural boundaries and slight topographical variation.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations around Figueres would be found in the broad expanses of the Empordà plain, particularly in areas south and southeast of the city. These zones offer several key advantages including minimal slope variations, excellent accessibility via existing road networks, and substantial open areas that are either currently used for agriculture or remain undeveloped.

The flat to gently rolling terrain extending toward the coastal areas presents ideal conditions for solar development, as it allows for efficient panel placement with minimal grading requirements. The absence of significant elevation changes means that shading between panel arrays can be easily managed, while the open nature of the landscape reduces concerns about obstructions from trees or buildings.

Areas to the west of Figueres, where the terrain begins to rise toward the Pyrenean foothills, would be less suitable for large-scale installations due to increasing slopes and more complex topography. However, some south-facing hillsides in this region could potentially accommodate smaller solar projects, particularly those that can take advantage of the natural slope orientation.

The agricultural character of much of the surrounding land means that solar development would need to consider land use compatibility and local planning regulations. However, the combination of flat terrain, good transportation access, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure makes the Empordà plain around Figueres particularly well-suited for utility-scale solar energy projects.

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.