Sa Pobla, Balearic Islands, Spain, located at 39.777°N, 3.0241°E, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this Mediterranean town experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Sa Pobla fluctuates significantly across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.40 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.84 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in output at 3.57 kWh/day/kW, while winter experiences the lowest production at 2.65 kWh/day/kW.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The ideal times for solar energy production in Sa Pobla are during the summer months, typically from June to August, when daylight hours are longest and solar intensity is at its peak. Spring, particularly from April to May, also offers excellent conditions for solar generation. While autumn and winter see reduced output, the location still maintains a reasonable level of production year-round.

Panel Installation Considerations

For fixed panel installations in Sa Pobla, Balearic Islands, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 34 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to balance the varying solar elevations throughout the year, ensuring the best overall performance across all seasons.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Sa Pobla's Mediterranean climate generally favors solar energy production, with abundant sunshine and relatively mild winters. However, there are a few factors that could potentially impact solar output:

1. Dust and salt accumulation: Being close to the coast, salt spray and dust can build up on panels, reducing efficiency.
2. Occasional cloudy days: While not frequent, overcast conditions can temporarily decrease production.

To mitigate these factors, regular cleaning of solar panels is recommended to remove salt and dust buildup. Additionally, using high-quality, weather-resistant panels and ensuring proper drainage can help maintain optimal performance in varying weather conditions.

Overall, Sa Pobla presents a favorable location for solar PV installations, with strong potential for energy generation throughout the year, particularly during the 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 Sa Pobla

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.777, Longitude: 3.0241 (Sa Pobla, 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 34° South in Sa Pobla, Spain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sa Pobla, Spain (Lat/Long 39.777, 3.0241) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Sa Pobla, 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 Sa Pobla, Spain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
23° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	54° South in Winter	32° 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 Sa Pobla, 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 Sa Pobla, 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 Sa Pobla, Spain

The area surrounding sa Pobla, Spain, located at coordinates 39.777 latitude and 3.0241 longitude, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography. This region, situated on the island of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, features a unique blend of landscapes that transition from coastal plains to rolling hills and eventually to more mountainous terrain. Sa Pobla itself is nestled in a fertile plain known as Es Pla, which extends across much of the central and northern parts of Mallorca. This flat, low-lying area is primarily used for agriculture, with numerous fields and orchards dotting the landscape. The soil here is rich and well-suited for cultivation, making it an important agricultural center for the island. As one moves away from sa Pobla towards the north and northeast, the terrain gradually becomes more undulating. Here, gentle hills begin to emerge, creating a patchwork of farmland interspersed with areas of natural vegetation. These hills provide a pleasant contrast to the flatness of the central plain and offer scenic views of the surrounding countryside.

Mountainous Regions

To the northwest of sa Pobla lies the impressive Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. This rugged chain of mountains runs along the northern coast of Mallorca and is characterized by steep, dramatic slopes and deep valleys. The highest peak in this range, Puig Major, reaches an elevation of 1,445 meters above sea level. The presence of these mountains has a significant impact on the local climate and ecology, creating microclimates and influencing weather patterns in the region.

Coastal Areas

To the east and northeast of sa Pobla, the land gradually slopes down towards the Mediterranean Sea. The coastline in this area features a mix of sandy beaches, rocky coves, and small coastal cliffs. The transition from the inland plains to the coast is marked by a series of wetlands and marshes, including the Albufera Natural Park, which is an important ecological area for bird species.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near sa Pobla, several factors come into play. The flat, open areas of Es Pla surrounding sa Pobla offer promising locations for solar farms. These areas receive ample sunlight throughout the year and have minimal shading from natural features or buildings. The relatively low agricultural value of some of these lands could make them ideal candidates for solar development without significantly impacting food production. The gently rolling hills to the north and northeast of sa Pobla also present opportunities for solar PV installations. These elevated areas may benefit from increased exposure to sunlight and could potentially accommodate large arrays of solar panels. However, care would need to be taken to minimize visual impact on the landscape and to avoid areas of ecological importance. It's important to note that while the mountainous regions of Serra de Tramuntana receive abundant sunlight, their steep terrain and ecological significance make them less suitable for large-scale solar developments. Similarly, coastal areas, while sunny, are generally more valuable for tourism and conservation purposes, making them less ideal for extensive solar farms. In conclusion, the areas most suited to large-scale solar PV near sa Pobla would likely be the flat agricultural lands of Es Pla and the gentler hills to the north and northeast. These regions offer a combination of favorable topography, good sun exposure, and potentially available land that could be repurposed for renewable energy production while minimizing environmental and agricultural impacts.

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.