Solar PV Analysis of Santiago De Compostela, Spain
Santiago de Compostela, Spain, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar energy generation. This historic city experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential, which impacts the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy output in Santiago de Compostela varies considerably across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 6.91 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 5.78 kWh/day. However, autumn sees a substantial drop to 3.63 kWh/day, while winter performance plummets to a mere 2.03 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that solar energy generation is most effective from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies contribute to optimal solar panel performance. Conversely, the winter months present challenges due to shorter days and increased cloud cover, significantly reducing solar energy production.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Santiago de Compostela, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 37 degrees facing south. This specific angle is calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the city's latitude and the sun's changing position across seasons.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Santiago de Compostela's climate poses some challenges for solar energy production. The city is known for its high rainfall, with an average of 129 rainy days per year. This frequent precipitation can reduce solar panel efficiency and overall energy output.
To mitigate these environmental factors, several preventative measures can be taken:
- Install high-quality, weather-resistant panels designed to perform well in wet conditions
- Implement effective drainage systems to prevent water accumulation on panels
- Regularly clean panels to remove dirt and debris that may accumulate due to frequent rainfall
- Consider using micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance
While Santiago de Compostela may not be ideal for year-round solar energy production, implementing these measures can help maximize the potential of solar PV systems in this location, particularly during the more favorable 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 Santiago De Compostela
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.8769, Longitude: -8.5471 (Santiago De Compostela, 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 Santiago De Compostela, Spain
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Santiago De Compostela, Spain (Lat/Long 42.8769, -8.5471) 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 Santiago De Compostela, 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 Santiago De Compostela, 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 | 35° 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 Santiago De Compostela, 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 Santiago De Compostela, 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 Santiago De Compostela, Spain
Santiago de Compostela, located in the northwestern region of Spain, is situated in an area characterized by rolling hills and gentle slopes. The city itself sits at an elevation of about 260 meters (850 feet) above sea level, nestled within the hilly landscape of Galicia. The surrounding terrain is a mix of low mountains, valleys, and plateaus, creating a diverse and picturesque topography.
To the east and southeast of Santiago, the land gradually rises towards the Galician Massif, a series of mountain ranges that form part of the larger Cantabrian Mountains. These areas feature higher elevations and more rugged terrain. To the west and northwest, the landscape becomes gentler as it approaches the Atlantic coast, with lower hills and wider valleys.
The region around Santiago de Compostela experiences a relatively humid climate with frequent rainfall, which contributes to the lush, green vegetation that covers much of the landscape. Rivers and streams crisscross the area, carving out valleys and creating a network of waterways that have shaped the topography over time.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations, it's important to look for relatively flat or gently sloping terrain with good sun exposure. The areas to the south and southeast of Santiago de Compostela might offer more potential for solar energy development. These regions tend to have slightly higher elevations and potentially clearer skies, which could provide better conditions for solar power generation.
Specifically, the areas around the municipalities of Ames, Teo, and Vedra, located to the south of Santiago, could be worth exploring for solar PV potential. These areas feature some flatter terrain and may receive more consistent sunlight compared to the more northern regions. Additionally, the countryside east of Santiago, towards the town of Arzúa, might also offer suitable locations for solar installations, as the landscape there includes some open, elevated areas.
However, it's crucial to note that any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site-specific assessments, taking into account factors such as local microclimate, land use restrictions, grid connectivity, and environmental considerations. The relatively high humidity and frequent cloud cover in the region may pose challenges for solar energy production, so careful planning and technological adaptations would be necessary to maximize efficiency.
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: Wednesday 14th 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.
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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.
