The city of Vic, Catalonia, Spain, situated at coordinates 41.9394, 2.2215, offers a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this region experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Output

Solar energy production in Vic fluctuates significantly across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 7.16 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 5.55 kWh per day. Autumn sees a considerable drop in production, yielding 3.58 kWh daily, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.45 kWh per day.

Optimal Generation Periods

The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Vic are during the summer months, typically from June to August, when daylight hours are longest and solar irradiance is at its peak. Spring, particularly from April to May, also offers excellent conditions for solar production. These periods provide the best opportunity to maximize energy yield from solar PV installations.

Panel Installation Considerations

For fixed panel installations in Vic, Catalonia, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 36 degrees facing South. This angle helps to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the city's latitude and seasonal sun positions.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Vic generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact efficiency:

• Winter fog: Vic is known for experiencing dense fog during winter months, which can reduce solar irradiance reaching the panels.
• Occasional hailstorms: Although infrequent, hailstorms in the region could potentially damage solar panels if severe enough.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these environmental challenges and ensure optimal energy production, consider implementing the following measures when installing solar PV systems in Vic:

1. Use high-quality, hail-resistant solar panels to protect against potential storm damage. 2. Install panels at the recommended 36-degree tilt to minimize the impact of fog and maximize exposure during winter months. 3. Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove any dust or debris that may accumulate, especially after foggy periods. 4. Consider using bifacial solar panels to capture reflected light, potentially increasing efficiency during overcast conditions.

By taking these precautions and optimizing panel placement, solar PV systems in Vic can effectively harness the available solar energy throughout the year, despite seasonal variations and occasional environmental challenges.

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 Vic

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.9394, Longitude: 2.2215 (Vic, 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 Vic, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Vic, Spain (Lat/Long 41.9394, 2.2215) 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 Vic, 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 Vic, 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
26° 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 Vic, 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 Vic, 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 Vic, Spain

The area surrounding Vic, Spain, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography that reflects the region's rich geological history. Situated in the heart of Catalonia, Vic lies within a broad, flat plain known as the Plana de Vic. This expansive lowland area is surrounded by rolling hills and mountains, creating a striking contrast between the level terrain of the city and its immediate surroundings and the more rugged landscape beyond. To the north and east of Vic, the terrain gradually rises into the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains. These hills become progressively steeper and more dramatic as one moves further from the city, eventually giving way to the majestic peaks of the Pyrenees themselves. The western edge of the Plana de Vic is bordered by the Lluçanès plateau, a raised area of gentle hills and valleys that provides a natural boundary to the plain.

Solar PV Potential

When considering areas near Vic that would be most suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would combine favorable topography with high levels of solar radiation and minimal environmental or agricultural impact. The Plana de Vic itself offers significant potential for solar PV development. Its flat terrain would simplify construction and maintenance of solar arrays, while the open landscape ensures minimal shading from natural features. However, much of this land is currently used for agriculture, which may limit the available area for solar installations. The gently rolling hills to the south and west of Vic present another promising option for solar PV development. These areas receive ample sunlight and have slopes that can be oriented to maximize solar exposure. Additionally, these hillsides are often less suitable for intensive agriculture, potentially reducing land-use conflicts. It's worth noting that while the mountainous areas to the north and east receive high levels of solar radiation due to their elevation, the steep and varied terrain would likely make large-scale solar installations challenging and costly to implement. Therefore, these areas are generally less suited for extensive solar PV projects compared to the flatter or gently sloping regions closer to Vic. Ultimately, the most suitable locations for large-scale solar PV near Vic would need to be determined through detailed site assessments, taking into account not only topography and solar radiation but also factors such as grid connectivity, local regulations, and environmental considerations.

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.