Solar Energy Potential in Vilassar de Mar, Spain

Vilassar de Mar, located on Spain's northeastern coast, offers promising potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. This Mediterranean coastal town experiences significant seasonal variations in solar production capacity, making it an interesting case study for renewable energy implementation. The solar energy generation potential shows clear seasonal patterns. During summer months, solar panels in Vilassar de Mar can produce an impressive 7.14kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.50kWh/day per installed kW. Autumn sees a notable decrease to 3.52kWh/day, while winter represents the lowest production period at 2.38kWh/day per kW installed.

Optimal Installation Parameters

For fixed solar panel installations in Vilassar de Mar, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 36 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated by analyzing the location's latitude and solar elevation patterns throughout the year, weighted by the solar energy potential at different times. The most productive periods for solar energy generation in this location are clearly the summer months, followed by spring. Together, these seasons account for significantly higher production potential than autumn and winter combined. This seasonal variation suggests that system sizing should account for these differences to ensure adequate year-round energy supply.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Vilassar de Mar. Being a coastal Mediterranean location, salt air exposure represents a significant consideration. Salt can accumulate on panel surfaces and potentially accelerate corrosion of mounting hardware and electrical connections. Preventative measures include:

• Using marine-grade stainless steel or aluminum mounting systems specifically designed for coastal environments
• Installing panels with salt-resistant glass and frames
• Implementing regular cleaning protocols to remove salt deposits
• Using protective coatings on electrical connections

Occasional dust from Saharan winds (known locally as "calima") can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Installing automated cleaning systems or scheduling regular maintenance cleanings, particularly after such weather events, can help maintain optimal performance. While Vilassar de Mar doesn't typically experience extreme weather events, its Mediterranean climate means occasional intense rainfall and thunderstorms. Proper drainage systems and secure mounting are important considerations to prevent water damage and ensure system durability during these weather events.

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 Vilassar De Mar

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.5106, Longitude: 2.4021 (Vilassar De Mar, 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 Vilassar De Mar, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Vilassar De Mar, Spain (Lat/Long 41.5106, 2.4021) 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 Vilassar De Mar, 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 Vilassar De Mar, 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	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 Vilassar De Mar, 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 Vilassar De Mar, 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 Vilassar De Mar, Spain

Vilassar de Mar is situated along the northeastern coast of Spain, in the Maresme region of Catalonia. The topography of this area is characterized by a striking transition from coastal plain to mountainous terrain. The town itself rests on a narrow coastal strip facing the Mediterranean Sea, with the land rising gradually behind it.

Coastal Plain and Urban Development

The immediate area around Vilassar de Mar consists of a relatively flat coastal plain. This narrow strip of land between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains has been heavily urbanized, with residential and commercial developments occupying much of the available space. The town extends approximately 2.2 kilometers along the coastline, with the terrain remaining generally level throughout this coastal zone.

The Serralada Litoral Mountains

Moving inland from Vilassar de Mar, the landscape quickly begins to rise into the foothills of the Serralada Litoral mountain range (also known as the Coastal Range). These mountains run parallel to the coast throughout the Maresme region, creating a dramatic backdrop to the coastal settlements. The elevation increases rapidly as one moves westward, with peaks reaching between 300-500 meters above sea level within just a few kilometers of the coast. The slopes of these mountains are characterized by Mediterranean forest vegetation interspersed with agricultural terraces, particularly on the lower elevations. Historically, these terraces supported vineyards and other Mediterranean crops, though many have been abandoned or converted to residential developments in recent decades.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several nearby areas present favorable conditions: The gentle south-facing slopes of the Serralada Litoral mountains, particularly in the less developed areas northwest of Vilassar de Mar, offer promising terrain for solar installations. These slopes receive abundant sunlight due to their southern exposure while being elevated enough to avoid shadows from adjacent peaks. The relatively flat agricultural plains that extend north toward Mataró and south toward Barcelona, though limited in extent, could accommodate ground-mounted solar arrays. However, competition with agricultural and urban land uses presents a significant constraint in these areas. Some of the abandoned agricultural terraces on the mountain slopes could be repurposed for solar installations, though the terraced nature of the terrain might increase installation complexity and cost.

Topographical Challenges

The mountainous terrain presents certain challenges for large-scale solar development. The steep slopes in many areas would complicate construction and increase costs. Additionally, the orientation of some slopes (those facing north or shadowed by adjacent peaks) would reduce solar generation potential. The limited availability of flat land is another significant constraint. The coastal plain is heavily urbanized, while the few flat areas inland tend to be valuable agricultural land or protected natural spaces.

Regional Context

Expanding the search radius beyond the immediate vicinity of Vilassar de Mar, more suitable areas for large-scale solar development can be found in the broader Catalonia region. The flatter interior plains to the west, beyond the Serralada Litoral, offer more extensive areas with favorable conditions for solar PV installations. These inland regions generally have less competition from urban development and can accommodate larger contiguous solar arrays. The topographical characteristics of the Vilassar de Mar area, with its rapid transition from coastal plain to mountain range, create a visually striking landscape but also limit the extent of suitable terrain for large-scale solar development in the immediate vicinity. The most promising areas remain the south-facing mountain slopes and any available flat land that isn't already dedicated to urban or high-value agricultural uses.

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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.