Yaiza, located in the Canary Islands of Spain, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, this location benefits from its proximity to the equator, resulting in relatively consistent sunlight across all seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at Yaiza demonstrates a favorable pattern across the meteorological seasons. Summer yields the highest production at 7.16 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely with 6.75 kWh/day, while autumn sees a moderate decrease to 5.14 kWh/day. Winter, though less productive, still maintains a respectable output of 4.16 kWh/day.

This seasonal variation indicates that Yaiza is well-suited for year-round solar energy production, with peak performance during the extended summer months from late spring through early autumn. The relatively mild drop in winter output suggests that solar installations can remain effective even during the cooler months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Yaiza, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 26 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the location's latitude and the sun's changing position throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Yaiza's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

1. Dust and sand: Given the island's proximity to the Sahara Desert, occasional dust storms may affect panel efficiency.
2. Salt spray: The coastal location may expose panels to salt air, potentially leading to corrosion over time.

To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning of solar panels is recommended to remove dust and salt deposits. Additionally, using corrosion-resistant materials and protective coatings on solar equipment can help ensure longevity and maintain optimal performance in this coastal environment.

Overall, Yaiza presents an excellent location for solar PV installations, with its consistent year-round sunlight and minimal seasonal fluctuations in energy production. The environmental challenges are manageable with proper maintenance and installation practices, making it an ideal spot for harnessing solar energy.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 Yaiza

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 28.8604, Longitude: -13.8286 (Yaiza, 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 26° South in Yaiza, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Yaiza, Spain (Lat/Long 28.8604, -13.8286) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 26° 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 Yaiza, 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 Yaiza, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 26° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
13° South in Summer	34° South in Autumn	44° South in Winter	22° 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 Yaiza, 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 Yaiza, 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 Yaiza, Spain

The landscape surrounding Yaiza, a municipality located in the southern part of Lanzarote, one of Spain's Canary Islands, is characterized by its unique volcanic topography. The area is dominated by stark, otherworldly terrain that has been shaped by centuries of volcanic activity. The land is mostly flat to gently rolling, with occasional steep hills and volcanic cones dotting the landscape. Yaiza sits at the foot of the Timanfaya National Park, a vast expanse of solidified lava fields and dormant volcanoes. The terrain here is rugged and rocky, with little vegetation due to the relatively recent volcanic activity. The soil is predominantly dark and volcanic in nature, creating a striking contrast against the blue sky and nearby ocean. To the east of Yaiza, the land gradually slopes towards the coast, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. This area features some low-lying coastal plains interspersed with rocky outcrops and small cliffs. The coastline itself is a mix of sandy beaches and more rugged, rocky shores.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

The areas surrounding Yaiza offer excellent potential for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations due to several favorable factors. The region experiences a high number of sunny days throughout the year, with minimal cloud cover, making it ideal for solar energy generation. The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be the flat or gently sloping terrains to the south and southeast of Yaiza. These areas offer vast, open spaces with little to no vegetation or urban development, providing ample room for extensive solar arrays. The lack of tall structures or geographical features that could cast shadows ensures maximum exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Additionally, the coastal plains to the east of Yaiza could also be considered for solar PV projects. While these areas might be slightly more valuable for tourism or agriculture, they still offer favorable conditions for solar energy generation due to their flatness and proximity to existing infrastructure. It's worth noting that any large-scale solar PV installation would need to be carefully planned to minimize impact on the unique volcanic landscape and the Timanfaya National Park, which are important natural and tourist attractions. Environmental assessments and proper zoning would be crucial to ensure that solar development does not interfere with the area's natural beauty or ecological significance.

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.