Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 41.3833 and longitude 2.0469 provides favorable conditions for harnessing solar power, albeit with seasonal variations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location varies significantly across the four meteorological seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, with an impressive 7.16 kWh of electricity generated per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most efficient season, yielding 5.55 kWh/day. Autumn sees a decrease in production to 3.58 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.45 kWh/day. These figures indicate that Sant Feliu de Llobregat experiences a wide range of solar productivity throughout the year. The substantial difference between summer and winter outputs suggests that while the location is excellent for solar energy generation during warmer months, it may require supplementary energy sources or energy storage solutions to maintain consistent power supply during the colder season.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, the ideal angle to maximize year-round solar PV production is 36 degrees, facing south. This tilt angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Sant Feliu de Llobregat generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental and weather factors to consider: 1. Occasional dust storms from the Sahara Desert can reduce panel efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue. 2. Sporadic hailstorms, though rare, may pose a risk to solar panels. Installing hail-resistant panels or protective covers can prevent damage during such events. 3. The proximity to the Mediterranean Sea might lead to salt accumulation on panels, potentially affecting their performance. Using corrosion-resistant materials and scheduling periodic cleaning can address this concern. Despite these minor challenges, Sant Feliu de Llobregat remains an excellent location for solar PV installations. With proper planning and maintenance, these environmental factors can be effectively managed to ensure optimal energy production 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 Sant Feliu De Llobregat

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.3833, Longitude: 2.0469 (Sant Feliu De Llobregat, 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 36° South in Sant Feliu De Llobregat, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sant Feliu De Llobregat, Spain (Lat/Long 41.3833, 2.0469) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Sant Feliu De Llobregat, 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 Sant Feliu De Llobregat, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° 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	56° South in Winter	34° 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 Sant Feliu De Llobregat, 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 Sant Feliu De Llobregat, 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 Sant Feliu De Llobregat, Spain

Sant Feliu de Llobregat is situated in a diverse topographical region in Catalonia, Spain. The town itself lies in the Llobregat River valley, which is characterized by relatively flat terrain. This valley is flanked by hills and mountains, creating a varied landscape in the surrounding area. To the west of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, the terrain gradually rises into the foothills of the Garraf Massif, a limestone mountain range that stretches along the coast. These hills become more pronounced as you move further west, offering scenic views of the surrounding area. To the north and northeast, the landscape is dominated by the Collserola mountain range. This natural park area features wooded hills and steep slopes, providing a stark contrast to the urban areas below. The highest point in this range, Tibidabo, reaches an elevation of 512 meters (1,680 feet) above sea level. East of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, the terrain gradually descends towards the Mediterranean coast. This area is more heavily urbanized, with the city of Barcelona and its suburbs occupying much of the coastal plain.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Sant Feliu de Llobregat, several factors come into play. The ideal areas would have ample sunlight exposure, relatively flat terrain, and minimal environmental impact. The valley floor of the Llobregat River, particularly areas to the south and southwest of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, could be suitable for solar PV installations. These areas benefit from the flat terrain, which simplifies construction and maintenance of solar arrays. However, care must be taken to avoid prime agricultural land and areas prone to flooding. Some of the gentler slopes in the foothills to the west might also be appropriate for solar farms. These elevated areas could potentially receive more direct sunlight throughout the day, increasing energy production efficiency. However, steeper areas should be avoided due to installation challenges and potential environmental concerns. It's important to note that the heavily forested areas of the Collserola mountain range to the north would not be ideal for large-scale solar installations. The environmental impact of clearing these protected woodlands would likely outweigh any potential benefits. Any large-scale solar project in this region would need to carefully balance energy production goals with environmental conservation, agricultural needs, and urban development plans. Local regulations and land-use policies would also play a crucial role in determining the feasibility and location of such installations.

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.