Solar PV Analysis of La Zenia, Spain
La Zenia, Valencia, Spain, situated at latitude 37.9247 and longitude -0.7314, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This coastal town in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons, making it an interesting case study for solar PV installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy output in La Zenia fluctuates significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.33 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.92 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 4.20 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.04 kWh/day.
This seasonal variation indicates that La Zenia is particularly well-suited for solar energy production during the warmer months, from late spring through early autumn. However, the region still maintains a respectable level of solar potential even during the cooler months, ensuring year-round energy generation.
Optimal Panel Installation
For those considering a fixed panel installation in La Zenia, Valencia, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 33 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 La Zenia generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Coastal salt spray: Due to its proximity to the sea, solar panels may be exposed to salt air, which can potentially cause corrosion over time.
- Occasional dust storms: The region may experience dust events, particularly during dry periods, which can temporarily reduce panel efficiency.
To mitigate these factors, installers should consider using corrosion-resistant materials for mounting hardware and panel frames. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the panels can also help maintain optimal performance. Additionally, installing panels at a slight angle can aid in natural cleaning during rainfall, reducing the impact of dust accumulation.
Overall, La Zenia presents a highly suitable location for solar PV installations, with its abundant sunshine and relatively mild climate contributing to consistent 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 La Zenia
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.9247, Longitude: -0.7314 (La Zenia, 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 La Zenia, Spain
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in La Zenia, Spain (Lat/Long 37.9247, -0.7314) 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 La Zenia, 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 Zenia, 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 | 42° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 30° 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 Zenia, 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 Zenia, 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 Zenia, Spain
The area around La Zenia, Spain, is characterized by a diverse and interesting topography. La Zenia itself is located on the Costa Blanca, a stretch of coastline along the Mediterranean Sea in the province of Alicante. The immediate area around La Zenia is relatively flat, with gentle slopes leading down to sandy beaches and rocky coves along the shoreline.
As you move inland from La Zenia, the landscape gradually becomes more varied. Low hills and undulating terrain start to appear, creating a picturesque backdrop to the coastal region. These hills are often covered with typical Mediterranean vegetation, including pine trees, olive groves, and various shrubs adapted to the dry climate.
Further inland, the terrain becomes more rugged, with higher hills and small mountain ranges. The Sierra de Orihuela, a modest mountain range, lies about 20 kilometers to the west of La Zenia. This range adds a dramatic element to the landscape, with peaks reaching heights of around 600 meters above sea level.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the inland regions near La Zenia offer promising locations. The gently sloping hillsides and plateaus found 10 to 30 kilometers inland from the coast provide ideal conditions for solar farms. These areas benefit from several advantageous factors:
- Abundant sunshine: The region enjoys a high number of sunny days per year, maximizing potential solar energy production.
- Open spaces: There are large, unobstructed areas away from dense urban development, allowing for expansive solar panel arrays.
- Elevated terrain: The slightly higher elevation of inland areas can reduce the impact of morning coastal fog or haze on solar efficiency.
- Proximity to infrastructure: These areas are close enough to existing power grids and transportation networks to facilitate energy distribution and maintenance.
Specific regions that might be particularly well-suited for solar PV installations include the areas surrounding the towns of Orihuela, Torremendo, and San Miguel de Salinas. These locations offer a good balance of favorable topography, available land, and necessary infrastructure connections.
It's important to note that while these areas have potential, any large-scale solar project would require detailed environmental impact assessments and must comply with local and regional regulations. The beautiful natural landscape of the region is a valuable asset, and care must be taken to balance renewable energy development with environmental preservation.
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 17th 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.
