Solar PV Analysis of Hard, Austria
The location in Hard, Vorarlberg, Austria is decent for generating solar energy throughout the year, but it's not ideal. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels changes with each season due to variations in sunlight. In summer and spring, you could expect more electricity production at 5.71 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day and 4.85 kWh/day respectively because these seasons generally have more sunlight hours. Autumn generates less power at about 2.99 kWh/day while winter produces the least amount of energy at around 1.52 kWh/day due to shorter daylight hours and potentially overcast conditions.
To get the most out of your solar panels year-round in Hard, Vorarlberg, Austria, they should be installed at an angle facing 41 degrees South which will allow them to capture as much sunlight as possible throughout all four seasons.
However, there are factors that may affect how much solar energy can be generated here. For instance, weather conditions such as heavy snow during winter could cover the panels thus reducing their effectiveness or even damaging them if not properly managed; frequent rainfall might also reduce exposure to sunlight hence affecting power generation.
Preventative measures include installing a mechanism to clear off any snow from the panels automatically or manually doing so yourself regularly during winter months; providing some form of shielding against potential hail damage; keeping nearby trees trimmed so they don't cast shadows on your panels thereby reducing their efficiency; and setting up a system for cleaning off any dust or bird droppings that may accumulate on your panel surfaces over time since these too can impede effective sun capture by your PV system.
In summary: this location has good potential for harnessing solar power especially during summer and spring when days are longer but one needs to consider seasonal fluctuations in sun exposure along with local environmental factors that might affect productivity when planning for installation.
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 124 locations across Austria. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Austria by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Hard
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.4862, Longitude: 9.6838 (Hard, Austria), 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 41° South in Hard, Austria
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hard, Austria (Lat/Long 47.4862, 9.6838) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 41° 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 Hard, Austria
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 Hard, Austria. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 41° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 61° South in Winter | 40° 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 Hard, Austria
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 Hard, Austria.
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 Hard, Austria
Hard, Austria is located in the western part of the country, near Lake Constance. The topography of this area is relatively flat and low-lying due to its proximity to the lake. It also has a temperate climate with moderate rainfall throughout the year.
Large-scale solar PV would be most suited in areas that have an abundance of sunlight and minimal obstructions such as tall buildings or trees. Given Hard's flat terrain, it could potentially be a suitable location for large-scale solar installations.
However, factors like local weather patterns (cloud cover), land availability and use (agricultural fields vs urbanized areas), environmental regulations, and infrastructure for power transmission should also be considered when deciding on locations for large-scale solar PV systems.
In terms of nearby areas, regions towards south with higher altitude might receive more sunlight due to less cloud cover. These could include parts of Dornbirn or Hohenems which are slightly elevated compared to Hard but still relatively close by.
Please note that while these general considerations can give some initial guidance, a detailed assessment by professionals would provide more accurate information about suitable sites for large scale solar PV systems in or around Hard, Austria.
Austria solar PV Stats as a country
Austria ranks 28th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 2,692 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 3.40% of Austria's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 25th in the world). Each year Austria is generating 302 Watts from solar PV per capita (Austria ranks 14th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Austria?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Austria. The Austrian government offers a range of financial support measures, including grants and loans, as well as tax breaks and other incentives. Additionally, the Austrian Energy Agency (AEA) provides information on funding opportunities for renewable energy projects. Furthermore, businesses can benefit from the Feed-in Tariff (FiT), which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar energy.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Austria? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 14th of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
