Solar PV Analysis of Brač, Croatia
The location at Brač, Croatia, situated at coordinates 43.3048913, 16.6527099, offers varying potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. This Mediterranean island experiences distinct seasonal fluctuations in solar output, which impact the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 7.59 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.80 kWh/day. Autumn sees a significant drop to 3.61 kWh/day, while winter performance dips to its lowest at 2.02 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Brač experiences a considerable variation in solar energy potential across seasons. The long, sunny days of summer provide ideal conditions for solar power generation, making it an excellent time for maximizing energy output. Spring also offers favorable conditions, with increasing daylight hours and generally clear skies.
Optimizing Solar Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production at this location, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 36 degrees facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the site's latitude and seasonal variations in sun position, ensuring the best overall performance throughout the year.
Environmental Considerations
While Brač generally offers good conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Salt spray: Being an island location, salt in the air can potentially corrode solar panel components over time.
- Strong winds: The coastal location may experience periods of high winds, which could impact panel stability.
To mitigate these factors, it's advisable to use corrosion-resistant materials for mounting systems and panel frames. Additionally, ensuring panels are securely installed and regularly cleaned can help maintain optimal performance and longevity.
In conclusion, while Brač experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, its location in the Northern Temperate Zone provides ample opportunity for solar energy generation, particularly during the summer and spring months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can be a viable and effective source of renewable energy in this Croatian island setting.
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 29 locations across Croatia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Croatia by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Brač
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.3048913, Longitude: 16.6527099 (Brač, Croatia), 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 Brač, Croatia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Brač, Croatia (Lat/Long 43.3048913, 16.6527099) 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 Brač, Croatia
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 Brač, Croatia. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° South in Summer | 46° South in Autumn | 57° South in Winter | 36° 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 Brač, Croatia
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 Brač, Croatia.
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 Brač, Croatia
Brač is a large island located off the coast of Croatia in the Adriatic Sea. The topography of Brač and its surrounding area is quite diverse and interesting. The island itself is characterized by a rugged, mountainous landscape, with its highest point, Vidova Gora, reaching an elevation of about 780 meters (2,560 feet) above sea level. This makes Vidova Gora the highest peak of all the Adriatic islands.
The northern coast of Brač features gentler slopes that gradually descend towards the sea, creating a series of bays and coves. In contrast, the southern coast is more dramatic, with steep cliffs plunging into the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic. The interior of the island is marked by rolling hills, valleys, and plateaus, many of which are covered in dense Mediterranean vegetation, including pine forests and olive groves.
The mainland coast facing Brač is part of the Dalmatian region of Croatia, known for its karst topography. This landscape is characterized by limestone formations, resulting in a rocky, often barren terrain with numerous caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers. The coastal areas of the mainland feature a narrow strip of relatively flat land, quickly giving way to the Dinaric Alps, a mountain range running parallel to the coast.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. Ideally, such installations require large, relatively flat areas with good sun exposure and minimal shading. Given these criteria, the following areas near Brač could be potential candidates:
1. The interior plateaus of Brač: Some of the flatter areas in the island's interior might be suitable, provided they are not heavily forested or used for agriculture.
2. The northern coastal plain of Brač: This area, being less steep than the southern coast, could potentially accommodate solar installations, though care would need to be taken to avoid conflicts with tourism and residential areas.
3. Mainland coastal areas: The narrow strip of flatter land along the mainland coast, particularly in less developed areas, could be considered for solar PV projects.
4. Hvar Island: Located southeast of Brač, Hvar has some interior areas that might be suitable for solar installations.
5. Inland areas of Split-Dalmatia County: Moving further inland on the mainland, away from the immediate coast, there may be larger areas of suitable terrain for solar PV projects.
It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, local regulations, and potential conflicts with other land uses, particularly given the region's reliance on tourism and agriculture. Additionally, the karst topography of the region may present engineering challenges for large-scale installations.
Croatia solar PV Stats as a country
Croatia ranks 84th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 109 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Croatia is generating 27 Watts from solar PV per capita (Croatia ranks 60th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Croatia?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Croatia. The Croatian government offers a number of financial incentives and subsidies for businesses that install solar energy systems. These include grants, tax credits, and other forms of support. Additionally, the government has set up a feed-in tariff system which guarantees a certain price per kilowatt hour (kWh) generated from renewable sources such as solar energy. This helps to make investing in solar energy more attractive for businesses.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Croatia? 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: Saturday 3rd of August 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.
