Solar PV Analysis of La Orotava, Spain
The location at La Orotava, Canary Islands, Spain is quite good for generating energy through solar PV all year round. During summer, you can expect to generate about 7.08kWh of electricity per day for each kW of solar panels installed. In autumn, this drops a bit to around 5.14kWh/day per kW, and further decreases to about 4.14kWh/day per kW in winter. However, the output rises again in spring to approximately 6.77kWh/day per kW.
The best times of the year for generating solar power at this location would be during the summer and spring months when sunlight is more abundant compared to other seasons.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 25 degrees facing south would maximize your total annual production from your solar PV system.
As far as local factors that could potentially impede solar production are concerned, it's important to consider aspects such as environmental conditions and topography or landscape features which may block sunlight reaching the panels - like large trees or buildings casting shadows on them throughout parts of the day.
Weather could also play a part - while La Orotava is generally sunny throughout much of the year due its sub-tropical climate; it does have periods with cloudy weather especially during winter months which might reduce solar output somewhat.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these potential challenges:
1) Choose a site with minimal obstructions blocking sunlight onto your panels.
2) Consider using adjustable mounting systems that allow changing panel angles seasonally.
3) Regularly clean and maintain your panels so they operate optimally.
4) Use high-quality equipment capable of withstanding local weather conditions.
5) Monitor weather forecasts closely so you can adjust operations accordingly if needed (e.g., protect against potential storm damage).
Overall though given its latitude & climate; La Orotava is indeed well-suited for harnessing solar energy year-round.
Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 La Orotava
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 28.3909, Longitude: -16.5216 (La Orotava, 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 25° South in La Orotava, Spain
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in La Orotava, Spain (Lat/Long 28.3909, -16.5216) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 25° 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 La Orotava, 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 La Orotava, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 25° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12° South in Summer | 33° South in Autumn | 43° South in Winter | 21° 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 La Orotava, 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 La Orotava, 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 La Orotava, Spain
La Orotava is located in the northern part of the island of Tenerife, one of Spain's Canary Islands. The topography around La Orotava is diverse, with a combination of coastal plains and rugged mountainous terrain. The town itself sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, including Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain.
The area has several unique geographical features including volcanic landscapes and lush vegetation due to its subtropical climate. This diverse topography can present challenges for large-scale solar PV installations due to uneven terrain and potential shading from mountainous areas.
However, there are still areas that may be suitable for solar PV projects. Flat regions closer to the coast or on lower-lying land might be more suitable for large-scale solar installations because they receive ample sunlight and have less geographical obstacles. Moreover, considering Tenerife’s relatively small size but high levels of sunlight exposure year-round (thanks to its location close to the equator), rooftops across urbanized areas could also offer significant potential for smaller-scale distributed solar power generation.
Additionally, it should be noted that any large scale project would need careful planning and consideration due to environmental factors - not only natural ones like local flora and fauna but also visual impact as parts of Tenerife are protected natural parks or UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Finally, feasibility will depend on other factors such as local regulations regarding renewable energy projects, grid connectivity issues etc., which would need detailed investigation beyond just topographical considerations.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 22nd of February 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.
