Quesada, Valencia, Spain, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 38.069, -0.7175, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Mediterranean climate provides ample sunshine, making it an attractive spot for harnessing solar power.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Quesada varies significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.54 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.72 kWh daily. Autumn sees a moderate decline to 4.10 kWh per day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.89 kWh daily.

These figures indicate that Quesada is particularly well-suited for solar energy production during the warmer months, from late spring through early autumn. However, the relatively steady output throughout the year suggests that solar PV systems can provide consistent, if varied, energy generation year-round.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Quesada, Valencia, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 33-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

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

1. Dust and pollen: The Mediterranean climate can lead to dust accumulation on panels, potentially reducing efficiency.
2. Occasional extreme weather: Though rare, hailstorms or strong winds could pose a risk to solar installations.

To mitigate these factors, regular cleaning of solar panels is recommended to remove dust and pollen. Additionally, installing high-quality, weather-resistant panels and secure mounting systems can help protect against extreme weather events. With these precautions in place, Quesada remains an excellent location for solar PV energy generation, offering substantial potential for clean, renewable energy 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 Quesada

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.069, Longitude: -0.7175 (Quesada, 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 Quesada, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Quesada, Spain (Lat/Long 38.069, -0.7175) 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 Quesada, 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 Quesada, 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 Quesada, 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 Quesada, 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 Quesada, Spain

Quesada, Spain, located at approximately 38.069 degrees north latitude and 0.7175 degrees west longitude, is situated in a region characterized by diverse topography. The area surrounding Quesada features a mix of gently rolling hills, flat plains, and some more rugged terrain as you move further inland. To the east of Quesada, the land gradually slopes towards the Mediterranean coast, creating a series of low-lying coastal plains. These areas are relatively flat and open, with sparse vegetation typical of the Mediterranean climate. As you move westward from Quesada, the landscape becomes more varied, with an increasing number of hills and small valleys. The region is part of the Vega Baja del Segura comarca, which is known for its agricultural productivity. This is due in part to the presence of the Segura River and its tributaries, which have carved out fertile valleys and floodplains over time. These areas are generally flat and well-irrigated, making them ideal for farming.

Potential 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 combine ample sunlight exposure, relatively flat terrain, and minimal environmental or agricultural impact. The coastal plains to the east of Quesada present promising opportunities for solar PV development. These areas receive abundant sunlight throughout the year and offer large, unobstructed spaces that could accommodate extensive solar arrays. The flat terrain would minimize installation costs and maximize energy production efficiency. Some of the gently rolling hills to the west and northwest of Quesada could also be suitable for solar PV installations. While not as flat as the coastal plains, these areas still receive excellent sun exposure and could potentially utilize tracking systems to follow the sun's path, increasing energy production. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider land use concerns, particularly given the agricultural importance of the region. Ideal locations would be those that do not significantly impact prime farmland or ecologically sensitive areas. Areas to potentially avoid for solar PV development would include the more rugged terrain further inland, as well as any locations near the Segura River and its tributaries, which are vital for the region's water resources and biodiversity. In conclusion, the topography around Quesada offers several promising locations for large-scale solar PV installations, particularly in the flatter areas to the east and on some of the gentler slopes to the west. However, careful planning and environmental assessment would be necessary to ensure that such developments are sustainable and in harmony with the region's agricultural and ecological needs.

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.