Solar energy in Barcelona, Spain
Average irradiation 4.37 kWh/m²/day · ~1276 kWh per kWp per year
Monthly solar irradiation & temperature in Barcelona (NASA POWER)
| Month | Irradiation (kWh/m²/day) | Avg temp (°C) | Est. production per kWp (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2.04 | 7.4 | 50 |
| Feb | 2.93 | 8.1 | 71 |
| Mar | 4.19 | 10.8 | 102 |
| Apr | 5.24 | 13.7 | 127 |
| May | 6.26 | 17.4 | 152 |
| Jun | 7.06 | 22.1 | 172 |
| Jul | 6.93 | 24.7 | 169 |
| Aug | 6.03 | 24.6 | 147 |
| Sep | 4.53 | 21.0 | 110 |
| Oct | 3.21 | 17.1 | 78 |
| Nov | 2.22 | 11.6 | 54 |
| Dec | 1.78 | 8.1 | 43 |
Solar potential of Barcelona explained
Barcelona receives an average of 4.37 kilowatt-hours of solar energy per square metre per day, measured over four decades of satellite observation. In practical terms, every kilowatt-peak of installed PV capacity yields about 1276 kWh of electricity per year here, assuming a well-oriented system with a typical 80% performance ratio. This is a solid mid-range solar resource: production is meaningful year-round, though winter output drops noticeably.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it in Barcelona?
With 4.37 kWh/m²/day of average irradiation, a 1 kWp system in Barcelona produces roughly 1276 kWh per year. That is a good solar resource; with current panel prices most systems pay back well within their lifetime.
How much electricity would a 5 kW system produce in Barcelona?
Approximately 6,000 kWh per year — enough to cover a large share of a typical household's consumption.
What data is this based on?
Long-term satellite observations from NASA POWER (1981–present) and the PVGIS SARAH3 database, assuming a performance ratio of 80%.
Compare with nearby cities
London (2.6) · Paris (3.2) · Berlin (2.9) · Munich (3.3) · Madrid (4.8) · Seville (5.2) · all cities →