Ondara, Valencia, Spain, situated at latitude 38.8272 and longitude 0.009, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Mediterranean coastal town experiences varied solar output across the seasons, with peak production during the summer months.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy potential in Ondara fluctuates significantly across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.46 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, yielding 5.84 kWh/day. Autumn sees a decrease in output to 3.95 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 2.90 kWh/day.

Optimal Solar Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Ondara, Valencia, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 33-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the town's latitude and the sun's position throughout the year, ensuring the best possible energy capture across all seasons.

Peak Generation Periods

The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Ondara are during the late spring, summer, and early autumn months. This period, roughly from May to September, offers longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, resulting in significantly higher energy output compared to the winter months.

Environmental Considerations

While Ondara's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

• Dust and salt spray: Being close to the coast, salt spray and dust accumulation on panels can reduce efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue.
• Occasional strong winds: The area may experience strong winds, particularly during seasonal changes. Ensuring robust mounting systems for solar panels is crucial to prevent damage.

To address these factors, installing panels with durable, corrosion-resistant materials and implementing a regular cleaning schedule can help maintain optimal energy production. Additionally, investing in wind-resistant mounting systems will ensure the longevity and stability of the solar installation in this coastal environment.

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 Ondara

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.8272, Longitude: 0.009 (Ondara, 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 Ondara, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ondara, Spain (Lat/Long 38.8272, 0.009) 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 Ondara, 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 Ondara, 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 Ondara, 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 Ondara, 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 Ondara, Spain

The topography around Ondara, Spain, situated at latitude 38.8272 and longitude 0.009, is characterized by a diverse landscape that combines coastal features with inland mountainous terrain. Ondara itself is located in the Marina Alta comarca of the Valencian Community, just a few kilometers inland from the Mediterranean coast. The immediate area surrounding Ondara consists of gently rolling hills and fertile plains, which have historically been used for agriculture, particularly citrus fruit cultivation. As one moves inland from Ondara, the terrain becomes more rugged and mountainous, with the foothills of the Montgó Massif rising to the northeast. This mountain range, which includes the distinctive Montgó mountain, reaches heights of over 750 meters above sea level and creates a dramatic backdrop to the coastal plain. To the east of Ondara, the land slopes gently towards the Mediterranean Sea, with the coastal towns of Dénia and Els Poblets situated along the shoreline. This area features a mix of sandy beaches and rocky coves, typical of the Costa Blanca region.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have ample sunlight exposure, relatively flat terrain, and minimal environmental or agricultural impact. The plains surrounding Ondara, particularly to the west and southwest, offer promising potential for solar PV development. These areas benefit from the region's abundant sunshine and have less dramatic topography compared to the mountainous zones. The agricultural lands that are less productive or have been abandoned could be repurposed for solar farms without significantly impacting food production. Another promising area lies in the broader coastal plain stretching south towards Oliva and Gandia. This region features expansive flat areas that receive excellent solar radiation throughout the year. However, care must be taken to avoid ecologically sensitive zones near the coast and to balance solar development with the region's important tourism industry. It's worth noting that while the mountainous areas to the north and northwest of Ondara receive ample sunlight, their steep slopes and often protected status make them less suitable for large-scale solar installations. These areas are better suited for smaller, distributed solar projects that can take advantage of south-facing slopes without requiring extensive land modification. Any large-scale solar PV project in the region would need to carefully consider local zoning regulations, environmental impact assessments, and the preservation of the area's natural beauty, which is a key driver of its tourism-based economy.

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.