Solar PV Analysis of Mijas, Spain
The location at Mijas, Andalusia, Spain, is generally good for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) panels throughout the year. The amount of energy that can be generated varies by season: in Summer it's highest at 7.93 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of solar installed; in Autumn it drops to 4.72; in Winter it's lowest at 3.10; and then it rises again to 6.16 in Spring.
This means that the best time of year to generate solar power here would be during the summer months when sunlight is most abundant, followed by spring and autumn respectively. However, even during winter when sunlight availability is least, there's still a reasonable amount of energy that can be produced.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of 32 degrees towards South would maximize total year-round production from solar PV.
As for local conditions that might affect solar production: Mijas is located on a hillside overlooking the Mediterranean Sea which could potentially cause issues with shading depending on exact placement of your panels - you'd want to ensure they're not obstructed by any buildings or landscape features like trees or hillsides.
Weather-wise, while Mijas enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year (which is great for solar), occasional heavy rains could dirty your panels making them less efficient until cleaned - so regular maintenance would be beneficial.
Lastly, being near the sea means there may also be higher levels of salt and humidity which could corrode equipment over time - so using corrosion-resistant materials and proper sealing techniques during installation would help prevent this issue.
Overall though these factors are all manageable with careful planning and regular maintenance – so Mijas should indeed provide a very viable location for producing renewable energy from sun power all year round!
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 Mijas
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.5997, Longitude: -4.6384 (Mijas, 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 32° South in Mijas, Spain
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mijas, Spain (Lat/Long 36.5997, -4.6384) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Mijas, 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 Mijas, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20° South in Summer | 41° South in Autumn | 52° South in Winter | 29° 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 Mijas, 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 Mijas, 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 Mijas, Spain
Mijas, Spain is located in the Costa del Sol region of southern Spain and is characterized by a varied topography. It lies in the foothills of the Sierra de Mijas mountain range and its terrain features mountains, hills, valleys as well as coastal plains. The area offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea to the south.
The region has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, making it suitable for solar PV installations. The areas most suited for large-scale solar PV would be:
1. Coastal Plains: These areas have less shade and more exposure to sunlight throughout the day which makes them ideal for solar installations.
2. Hilltops: Despite being more challenging due to logistics and installation issues, hilltops can also be good locations because they are above shadowing terrain features.
3. Valleys: Depending on their orientation (north-south valleys may not be as efficient), valleys can also provide suitable locations if they receive ample sunlight.
Specifically within Mijas or nearby towns like Fuengirola or Alhaurin el Grande could potentially host such facilities given proper feasibility studies related to sun exposure, land availability/usage rights etc.
However, any installation needs careful planning considering environmental impact as this area is known for its natural beauty including forests with pine trees which are protected by law against destruction.
In addition to geographical factors, technical (grid connection capacity), economic (cost of land) and regulatory aspects must also be considered when deciding on a suitable location for large-scale solar PV projects.
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 29th of December 2023
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.
