Granollers, Catalonia, Spain, located at latitude 41.6229 and longitude 2.2869, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Temperate Zone city experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which is typical for its latitude.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Granollers peaks during the summer months, with an impressive average of 7.14 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 5.50 kWh/day. Autumn sees a decrease to 3.52 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.38 kWh/day.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal changes on solar energy generation in this region. However, the relatively high output during spring and autumn contributes to a favorable year-round energy profile.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Granollers, Catalonia, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 36 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Granollers generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

1. Dust and pollen: The Mediterranean climate can lead to dust accumulation on panels, potentially reducing efficiency.
2. Occasional hailstorms: Although rare, hail could potentially damage solar panels if severe enough.

To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning of solar panels is recommended to maintain optimal performance. Additionally, installing hail-resistant panels or protective covers can safeguard against potential storm damage.

Overall, Granollers presents an ideal location for solar PV installations, with strong potential for energy generation throughout the year, particularly from spring through autumn. The winter months, while less productive, still contribute to the annual energy output, making solar a viable renewable energy option for this Spanish city.

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 Granollers

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.6229, Longitude: 2.2869 (Granollers, 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 36° South in Granollers, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Granollers, Spain (Lat/Long 41.6229, 2.2869) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Granollers, 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 Granollers, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° 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	46° South in Autumn	57° 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 Granollers, 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 Granollers, 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 Granollers, Spain

The topography around Granollers, Spain, is characterized by a diverse landscape that blends urban areas with surrounding natural features. Situated in the Vallès Oriental comarca of Catalonia, Granollers is nestled in a valley between two mountain ranges. To the north and west lies the Serralada Prelitoral, a prominent mountain range that forms part of the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range. To the south and east, the terrain gradually slopes towards the Mediterranean coast, with the Serralada Litoral, or Catalan Coastal Range, running parallel to the shoreline. The immediate vicinity of Granollers consists of gently rolling hills and flat areas, making it an ideal location for urban development and agriculture. The Congost River flows through the city, carving a shallow valley that has influenced the local topography. As you move away from the city center, the landscape becomes more varied, with a mix of cultivated fields, small forests, and increasingly steep hillsides.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Granollers that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have ample sunlight exposure, relatively flat terrain, and minimal environmental or agricultural impact. The plains and gentler slopes to the east and southeast of Granollers offer promising potential for solar PV development. These areas benefit from good sun exposure and have less dramatic elevation changes compared to the mountainous regions to the north and west. The municipalities of Cardedeu, La Roca del Vallès, and Llinars del Vallès have expanses of land that could be suitable for solar farms. Another area of interest lies to the south and southwest of Granollers, in the direction of Mollet del Vallès and Parets del Vallès. This region features open spaces with favorable topography for solar installations. The relatively flat terrain in these areas would simplify construction and maintenance of large-scale solar projects. It's important to note that while the mountainous areas to the north and west receive ample sunlight, their steep slopes and forested nature make them less practical for extensive solar PV installations. However, smaller-scale projects could potentially be integrated into these areas where suitable clearings or south-facing slopes are available. When planning any large-scale solar PV project in the region, careful consideration must be given to preserving agricultural land, protecting natural habitats, and respecting local zoning regulations. The ideal locations would balance the need for renewable energy production with the preservation of the area's natural and cultural landscapes.

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.