Solar Energy Potential in Oviedo, Principality of Asturias, Spain

Oviedo, Principality of Asturias, Spain, located at latitude 43.3549° N and longitude 5.8529° W in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year, though with significant seasonal variations. The solar production at this location follows a clear seasonal pattern. During summer months, solar panels can generate an impressive 5.84 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely with 5.13 kWh/day per kW. However, production drops considerably during autumn to 3.15 kWh/day, and reaches its lowest point in winter with just 1.79 kWh/day per kW installed.

Seasonal Performance

The substantial difference between summer and winter production (over three times more energy in summer) indicates that Oviedo experiences significant seasonal variability in solar potential. This pattern is typical for locations in the Northern Temperate Zone, where shorter winter days and lower sun angles reduce solar generation capacity during colder months. For maximum year-round energy production with a fixed panel installation in Oviedo, Principality of Asturias, panels should be installed at a 37-degree tilt facing south. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize annual energy harvest by accounting for the location's latitude, the Earth's elliptical orbit, and weighted solar irradiance data.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several local factors may impact solar production in Oviedo:

• Cloud cover and rainfall: Oviedo is located in Asturias, one of Spain's rainiest regions, averaging 120-160 rainy days per year. This high precipitation and associated cloudiness can significantly reduce solar output.
• Fog and humidity: The mountainous terrain and proximity to the Cantabrian Sea create frequent fog conditions, particularly in morning hours, which can delay daily solar production.
• Dust and pollen: The region's vegetation and occasional Saharan dust events may accumulate on panels, reducing efficiency.

Mitigation Strategies

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Install self-cleaning panels or implement regular cleaning schedules to address dust and pollen accumulation
• Consider dual-axis tracking systems for commercial installations to increase production during limited sunlight hours
• Utilize high-efficiency panels designed for diffuse light conditions to better capture energy on cloudy days
• Implement proper drainage systems to prevent water accumulation on panels after heavy rainfall
• Consider slight adjustments to the tilt angle (perhaps 35-40 degrees) to optimize for local microclimate conditions

While Oviedo may not match the solar potential of southern Spain, with proper system design and maintenance, solar PV can still provide a meaningful contribution to the local energy mix, particularly during the productive spring and summer months.

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 Oviedo

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.3549, Longitude: -5.8529 (Oviedo, 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 37° South in Oviedo, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Oviedo, Spain (Lat/Long 43.3549, -5.8529) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Oviedo, 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 Oviedo, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
27° South in Summer	47° South in Autumn	58° South in Winter	36° 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 Oviedo, 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 Oviedo, 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 Oviedo, Spain

Oviedo, the capital city of Asturias in northern Spain, sits in a distinctive topographical setting. Located at coordinates 43.3549°N, 5.8529°W, the city occupies a relatively flat basin at an elevation of approximately 230-260 meters above sea level. This basin is surrounded by a dramatic landscape of mountains and hills, creating a natural amphitheater effect around the urban center.

Mountain Surroundings

To the south of Oviedo rises the impressive Cantabrian Mountain range, with peaks reaching well over 1,000 meters. These mountains form part of the larger Cantabrian Cordillera that runs along Spain's northern coast. The most prominent nearby peak is Naranco Mountain, standing at 634 meters and overlooking the city from the north. This mountain is not only a topographical landmark but also holds cultural significance, housing the pre-Romanesque monuments of Santa María del Naranco. The terrain becomes increasingly rugged as one moves away from the city center, with numerous valleys, slopes, and smaller hills characterizing the landscape. The Nalón and Nora rivers flow through the region, carving valleys in the surrounding terrain and contributing to the area's lush, green character.

Climate Considerations

The topography significantly influences Oviedo's climate. The mountains to the south partially shield the area from the warmer continental influences, while the proximity to the Cantabrian Sea (about 30 kilometers to the north) brings oceanic climate patterns. This results in mild temperatures, frequent cloud cover, and considerable rainfall throughout the year—factors that are important when considering solar energy potential.

Solar PV Potential Areas

When evaluating regions near Oviedo for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several topographical and climatic factors must be considered. Despite northern Spain receiving less solar radiation than the country's southern regions, certain areas around Oviedo could still be viable for solar development. The most suitable locations would be the flatter, south-facing areas to the south and southeast of Oviedo, particularly as one moves away from the immediate mountain shadows and into the broader plains of central Asturias. The municipalities of Siero, Llanera, and parts of Mieres offer more favorable terrain for large-scale installations, with gentler slopes and better solar exposure.

Specific Promising Zones

The area around Siero, approximately 10-15 kilometers east of Oviedo, presents relatively flat terrain with fewer topographical obstacles. This region benefits from slightly lower precipitation levels than Oviedo proper and has existing industrial infrastructure that could support energy distribution. The broader plains extending toward Gijón and Avilés, while still experiencing the cloudy Atlantic climate, offer larger continuous spaces suitable for extensive solar arrays. These northern coastal plains have fewer shadowing issues from mountains but must contend with increased cloud cover from maritime influences. Moving southeast toward the border with the León province, the landscape transitions to higher plateaus with increased solar radiation. Although these areas are more distant from Oviedo (40-60 kilometers), they represent perhaps the best compromise between suitable topography and improved solar resources in the region.

Topographical Challenges

Any large-scale solar development near Oviedo must address significant challenges posed by the topography. The mountainous nature of much of Asturias limits the availability of large, continuous flat spaces. Many potential sites would require careful engineering to accommodate slopes and prevent shadowing effects from surrounding hills. Additionally, the region's abundant rainfall and humidity could impact solar panel efficiency and maintenance requirements. The frequent cloud cover characteristic of Asturias's climate reduces the overall solar radiation available compared to central and southern Spain. Despite these challenges, thoughtful site selection that balances topographical suitability with proximity to existing electrical infrastructure could make certain areas around Oviedo viable for solar PV development, particularly as solar technology continues to improve in efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

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.