Solar PV Analysis of San Rafael, Spain
San Rafael, Castille and León, Spain, situated at latitude 40.7169 and longitude -4.1896, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This site in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which is typical for its latitude.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy production in San Rafael, Castille and León, with an impressive daily output of 8.06 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 5.93 kWh/day. Autumn sees a notable decrease to 4.08 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.57 kWh/day.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the importance of proper system sizing to ensure adequate energy supply during less productive months. Despite the winter dip, San Rafael's location still allows for year-round solar energy generation, making it a viable option for renewable energy investment.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in San Rafael, Castille and León, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 35 degrees facing south. This optimal angle has been calculated considering the site's latitude and seasonal sun positions, ensuring the best possible energy capture across all seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While San Rafael generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Dust and pollen: The region may experience dust storms or high pollen counts, which can accumulate on solar panels and reduce efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue.
- Snow: Although infrequent, occasional winter snowfall could temporarily cover panels. Installing panels at the recommended 35-degree angle helps snow slide off more easily.
To address these factors, consider implementing automated cleaning systems or scheduling regular manual cleaning. Additionally, using high-quality, weather-resistant panels and ensuring proper installation can help maintain optimal performance in the face of these environmental challenges.
Overall, San Rafael presents an ideal location for solar PV installation, with its strong summer and spring performance offsetting the reduced winter output. By addressing minor environmental concerns and optimizing panel placement, this site can harness significant solar 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 San Rafael
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.7169, Longitude: -4.1896 (San Rafael, 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 35° South in San Rafael, Spain
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in San Rafael, Spain (Lat/Long 40.7169, -4.1896) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 San Rafael, 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 San Rafael, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 55° South in Winter | 33° 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 San Rafael, 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 San Rafael, 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 San Rafael, Spain
The area around San Rafael, Spain is characterized by diverse and rugged topography. San Rafael itself is situated in the Sierra de Guadarrama, a mountain range that forms part of the larger Sistema Central mountain system. This region is known for its dramatic landscape, featuring a mix of steep slopes, rocky outcrops, and high-altitude plateaus.
The terrain in and around San Rafael is generally mountainous, with elevations ranging from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 meters above sea level. The area is marked by numerous peaks, valleys, and ridges, creating a complex and varied landscape. Dense pine forests cover much of the lower slopes, while the higher elevations often feature exposed rock and alpine meadows.
To the north and west of San Rafael, the terrain becomes increasingly rugged as it climbs towards the higher peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama. To the south and east, the landscape gradually transitions to more gentle slopes and eventually to the flatter plains of the Meseta Central, the central plateau of Spain.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the ideal locations would be found to the south and southeast of San Rafael. These areas, as they move away from the mountains, tend to have:
- Flatter terrain, which is easier and more cost-effective for installing large arrays of solar panels
- Less forest cover, reducing the need for land clearing
- Higher levels of solar radiation due to less shadowing from mountains
- Better accessibility for construction and maintenance
Specifically, the regions around the towns of El Espinar, Otero de Herreros, and Vegas de Matute, which lie to the southeast of San Rafael, could offer suitable conditions for solar PV development. These areas have more open, gently rolling landscapes that receive ample sunlight throughout the year.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to consider various factors beyond just topography, including local environmental regulations, grid connectivity, and land use policies. The mountainous areas closer to San Rafael, while less ideal for large installations, might still be suitable for smaller-scale or distributed solar 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: Tuesday 27th of August 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.
