Solar PV Analysis of Ibiza Town, Spain
Ibiza Town, Balearic Islands, Spain, situated at 38.9118°N, 1.4358°E in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation. The Mediterranean climate provides ample sunshine throughout the year, making it a favorable spot for harnessing solar power.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Ibiza Town varies significantly across seasons. Summer yields the highest output at 7.50 kWh per day for each kW of installed capacity. Spring follows with 6.00 kWh/day, while autumn and winter see reduced production at 3.86 kWh/day and 2.96 kWh/day, respectively.
The location experiences its peak solar generation potential from late spring through early fall. During this period, longer daylight hours and clearer skies contribute to optimal energy production. However, even in winter, the region maintains a respectable output, thanks to its southern European latitude and generally mild climate.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Ibiza Town, Balearic Islands, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 33 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While Ibiza Town's climate is generally favorable for solar energy, there are a few factors to consider:
- Dust and salt spray: Being close to the sea, salt accumulation on panels can reduce efficiency. Regular cleaning is essential.
- Occasional heatwaves: Very high temperatures can slightly decrease panel efficiency. Ensuring proper ventilation behind the panels can help mitigate this issue.
To address these factors, consider installing self-cleaning panels or implementing a regular maintenance schedule. Additionally, using high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials for mounting systems can protect against salt-air degradation.
Overall, Ibiza Town presents an excellent location for solar PV installations, with its abundant sunshine and mild climate providing a solid foundation for sustainable energy production throughout the year.
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 Ibiza Town
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.9118, Longitude: 1.4358 (Ibiza Town, 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 Ibiza Town, Spain
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ibiza Town, Spain (Lat/Long 38.9118, 1.4358) 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 Ibiza Town, 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 Ibiza Town, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23° 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 Ibiza Town, 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 Ibiza Town, Spain.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Ibiza Town, Spain
The topography around Ibiza Town, Spain, is characterized by a mix of coastal plains and gently rolling hills. The town itself is situated on the southeastern coast of the island of Ibiza, with the Mediterranean Sea to its east. The land rises gradually from the coastline, forming low hills and plateaus as you move inland.
Immediately surrounding Ibiza Town, you'll find relatively flat areas that quickly give way to modest elevations. These hills, while not particularly high, provide some variation to the landscape. The terrain becomes more rugged and mountainous as you move towards the island's interior, especially to the northwest of the town.
The coastline near Ibiza Town features several small bays and coves, with some rocky outcrops interspersed among sandy beaches. This creates a picturesque shoreline that's typical of many Mediterranean coastal areas.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few considerations:
The most promising locations for solar farms would likely be found in the flatter, open areas to the west and southwest of Ibiza Town. These regions offer more expansive plots of land with less dramatic changes in elevation, which is ideal for solar panel placement. The gently sloping hillsides in these areas could also be suitable, as they often receive excellent sun exposure throughout the day.
It's worth noting that while the island's interior has more elevated terrain, these areas might not be as suitable for large-scale solar installations due to potential shading from the hills and the increased difficulty of construction on steeper slopes.
Any solar project would need to balance the need for open, sun-exposed land with environmental and aesthetic considerations, given Ibiza's reliance on tourism and its natural beauty. Areas away from the main tourist zones and residential developments would likely be preferable for such installations.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 4th of October 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
