Solar PV Analysis of San Roque, Spain
The location at San Roque, Andalusia, Spain, is generally good for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) panels throughout the year. This is because it gets a decent amount of sunlight each day in every season. Specifically, in the summer you can expect around 7.60 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. In autumn this drops to around 4.63 kWh/day, in winter it's about 3.36 kWh/day and in spring it rises again to about 6.15 kWh/day.
This means that your solar panels will be most productive during the summer and spring months when there are more hours of daylight and the sun is higher in the sky, providing more direct sunlight onto your panels.
To get the most out of your solar PV system year-round at this location, you should ideally tilt your panels at an angle of 32 degrees facing southwards towards the sun for maximum exposure.
As far as local factors that could affect solar production, San Roque does have some mountainous terrain which could potentially cast shadows on your panels depending on their specific location or cause issues with installation if they're situated on a steep slope or uneven ground.
Weather-wise, while Spain generally enjoys a lot of sunny days annually which is great for solar energy production; however occasional rainstorms or cloudy days would temporarily reduce output from your panels as they rely on direct sunlight to generate electricity effectively.
To mitigate these potential issues and ensure greater energy production from your PV system:
1) Carefully consider where you install them – ideally somewhere flat and open where they won't be shaded by mountains or buildings.
2) Regularly clean and maintain them to remove any dust or debris that might block sunlight.
3) Install additional equipment such as battery storage systems so you can store excess power generated during peak times (like sunny summer afternoons), then use it when your panels aren't producing as much (like at night or during cloudy weather).
Overall, San Roque is a generally good location for solar PV energy production, particularly if you take these factors into account.
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 Roque
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.8389, Longitude: -2.9646 (San Roque, 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 San Roque, Spain
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in San Roque, Spain (Lat/Long 36.8389, -2.9646) 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 San Roque, 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 Roque, 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 | 42° 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 San Roque, 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 Roque, 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 Roque, Spain
The topography around San Roque, Spain, is characterized by a diverse landscape that combines coastal features with inland hills and mountains. San Roque is situated in the southern part of Spain, near the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
The immediate area around San Roque is relatively flat, with gentle slopes leading towards the coast. As you move inland, the terrain becomes more varied and hilly. To the north and northeast, the landscape gradually rises into the foothills of the Andalusian Mountains, with some peaks reaching heights of several hundred meters.
The coastline near San Roque features a mix of sandy beaches and rocky outcrops. The famous Rock of Gibraltar is visible to the south, dominating the horizon with its distinctive shape. To the west, the terrain is generally flatter, with some low-lying areas and wetlands near the coast.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the region around San Roque offers several promising locations. The most suitable areas would be found inland, away from the immediate coastal zone. The gently rolling hills and plateaus to the north and northwest of San Roque provide ideal conditions for solar farms.
These areas typically have several advantages for solar PV development:
- They receive ample sunlight throughout the year, thanks to the region's Mediterranean climate.
- The terrain is relatively flat or has gentle slopes, which simplifies installation and reduces construction costs.
- There is often less competition for land use compared to the more densely populated coastal areas.
- The elevated position of some sites can reduce the impact of morning fog or coastal haze on solar panel efficiency.
Specific locations that might be particularly well-suited for solar PV projects include the areas around the towns of Castellar de la Frontera and Jimena de la Frontera, both located north of San Roque. These regions offer a good balance of favorable topography, abundant sunshine, and relatively undeveloped land that could accommodate large-scale solar installations.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site-specific assessments, including environmental impact studies and grid connection feasibility analyses, before proceeding with development.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 19th of January 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.
