Solar PV Analysis of Terrassa, Spain
The location at Terrassa, Catalonia, Spain is fairly good for generating solar energy throughout the year, but there are some factors to consider. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies by season. In summer, you can expect to generate around 7.16 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity. This decreases in autumn and winter to 3.58 kWh/day and 2.45 kWh/day respectively, then increases again in spring to around 5.55 kWh/day.
So the best time of year for generating solar power at this location would be during the summer months when sunlight is most abundant - this is when your panels will produce the most electricity.
To get the maximum benefit from your solar panels over the entire year, you should tilt them at an angle of about 36 degrees facing south if they're fixed in place - this optimises their exposure to sunlight throughout different times of day and seasons.
As far as environmental or weather factors go, Terrassa's Mediterranean climate means it has hot summers and mild winters with relatively low rainfall which makes it quite suitable for generating solar energy overall; however like any other place there could be occasional cloudy or rainy days which may temporarily reduce output from your panels since they rely on direct sunlight.
In terms of preventative measures against these potential issues: regular maintenance checks will help ensure that your installation remains efficient even under less than ideal conditions - cleaning off dust or debris regularly can also help maintain optimal performance as these elements could block some sunlight otherwise reaching your panel surface.
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 Terrassa
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.5655, Longitude: 2.0184 (Terrassa, 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 Terrassa, Spain
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Terrassa, Spain (Lat/Long 41.5655, 2.0184) 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 Terrassa, 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 Terrassa, 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 | 46° South in Autumn | 57° 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 Terrassa, 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 Terrassa, 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 Terrassa, Spain
Terrassa, Spain is located in the northeastern part of the country, within the autonomous community of Catalonia. The topography around Terrassa is characterized by a mix of plains and hilly areas. It's situated on a plateau with an average elevation of about 277 meters above sea level. Surrounding regions include several mountain ranges such as Montserrat to the north and Parc Natural de Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac to the northeast.
Considering solar photovoltaic (PV) installation, flat or gently sloping areas are typically more suitable due to ease of installation and maintenance, as well as optimal exposure to sunlight. Taking into account these factors along with local climate conditions (Terrassa enjoys a Mediterranean climate with plentiful sunshine throughout most of the year), it seems that plain regions around Terrassa would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations.
However, it should also be noted that site selection for solar farms involves many other considerations beyond just topography and climate - including proximity to power transmission lines, environmental impact assessments, land use regulations among others. Therefore detailed feasibility studies would need to be conducted before making any definitive conclusions about specific sites being suitable for large-scale solar PV 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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 3rd of June 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.
