Ibi, Valencia, Spain, located at coordinates 38.6226, -0.5731, offers a promising environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Mediterranean location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar electricity production.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Ibi produce their highest output during summer, generating approximately 7.53kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.68kWh/day, while autumn yields 4.04kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest production at 2.82kWh/day per kW installed.

This seasonal pattern creates a nearly 3:1 ratio between the best and worst production periods, with summer generating more than 2.5 times the electricity of winter months. The substantial spring production suggests that the beneficial solar generation period extends beyond just the summer months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Ibi, Valencia, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round electricity production is 33 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated based on the location's latitude and seasonal solar elevation patterns, weighted by the daily PV generation potential.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Ibi. The area's Mediterranean climate brings occasional dust storms from North Africa, which can deposit sand and dust on panel surfaces, reducing efficiency. Regular cleaning maintenance or automated cleaning systems can mitigate this issue.

Ibi's inland location in mountainous terrain (part of the Alicante province) means it experiences higher temperature variations than coastal areas. High summer temperatures above 35°C can reduce panel efficiency, making heat-resistant panel technologies and proper ventilation behind panels advisable installation considerations.

Winter occasionally brings light snow at this elevation, though accumulation is typically minimal and short-lived. Nevertheless, installing panels at the recommended 33-degree angle helps facilitate natural snow shedding and optimizes winter sun capture during the less productive 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 Ibi

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.6226, Longitude: -0.5731 (Ibi, 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 33° South in Ibi, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ibi, Spain (Lat/Long 38.6226, -0.5731) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Ibi, 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 Ibi, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
22° South in Summer	43° South in Autumn	54° South in Winter	31° 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 Ibi, 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 Ibi, 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 Ibi, Spain

The topography around Ibi, Spain presents a diverse and dramatic landscape characteristic of inland Valencia. Situated in the province of Alicante, Ibi is nestled within a mountainous region known as L'Alcoià. The town itself sits in a valley at approximately 816 meters above sea level, surrounded by impressive mountain ranges that define the local geography.

Mountain Ranges and Elevations

The area is dominated by several significant mountain formations. To the north rises the Sierra del Menejador, reaching heights over 1,300 meters, while the Sierra de la Carrasqueta extends to the east. These limestone mountains create a rugged backdrop with numerous peaks and valleys. The terrain is characterized by steep slopes in the higher elevations, gradually transitioning to gentler foothills as they approach the valley where Ibi is situated. The mountainous topography creates distinct microclimates throughout the region, with north-facing slopes receiving less direct sunlight than south-facing areas. This variation in sun exposure significantly influences vegetation patterns and potential solar energy production possibilities.

Valleys and Plateaus

Between the mountain ranges lie several valleys and high plateaus. The Ibi valley forms a natural basin surrounded by higher elevations. These relatively flat areas contrast with the surrounding mountains and provide more accessible terrain. Some plateaus in the region extend for several kilometers, offering expansive open spaces with minimal shading from geographical features. The transition zones between mountains and valleys feature rolling hills with moderate slopes, creating a varied landscape that gradually changes in elevation. These intermediate areas often have good solar exposure while being more accessible than steeper mountain terrain.

Hydrology

The region's water system includes seasonal streams and ravines (known locally as barrancos) that cut through the landscape. These watercourses, while often dry during summer months, have shaped the topography through erosion, creating interesting geological formations. The Riu Verd (Green River) basin influences part of the local drainage system, though permanent rivers are not a dominant feature of this semi-arid landscape.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the most suitable areas near Ibi would be the south-facing slopes and plateau regions that offer several advantageous characteristics: The high plateaus to the southwest of Ibi present particularly favorable conditions. These areas combine relatively flat terrain (reducing construction costs and complexity) with excellent solar exposure due to their elevation and lack of shadowing from nearby mountains. The plateaus also tend to have sparse vegetation, minimizing environmental impact from development. Gentle south-facing slopes around the valley periphery offer another promising option. These locations benefit from optimal sun angle throughout the year while still providing reasonably accessible terrain for infrastructure development. Areas with gradients between 5-15% can actually improve solar panel efficiency in this latitude compared to completely flat installations. Some of the lower elevation areas in the valley itself might be suitable, particularly those not used for agriculture or urban development. However, these would need careful assessment to ensure they don't experience shadowing from the surrounding mountains during winter months when the sun angle is lower. The region's semi-arid climate means vegetation is generally not dense, reducing clearance requirements. The rocky terrain in many areas also means the land has limited agricultural value, making it economically sensible to repurpose for energy production. Areas to avoid would include the steeper north-facing slopes, which receive significantly reduced direct sunlight, and any locations with environmental protections, such as parts of the Sierra del Menejador that fall within natural park boundaries.

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.