The location in Traun, Upper Austria, Austria, situated at 48.2134° N, 14.2341° E, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Temperate Zone location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which impact its overall suitability for year-round solar power generation.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Traun varies considerably across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 5.96 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 4.42 kWh/day/kW. However, autumn sees a substantial decrease in output to 2.82 kWh/day/kW, while winter experiences the lowest production at just 1.39 kWh/day/kW.
These figures indicate that Traun is particularly well-suited for solar energy generation during the warmer months, from late spring through early autumn. During this period, longer days and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency and output.
Optimizing Solar Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Traun, Upper Austria, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 41 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps balance energy capture across seasons, compensating for the sun's changing position throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Traun's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental and weather factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:
- Snow accumulation in winter, which can temporarily reduce panel output
- Cloudy or overcast days, particularly common during autumn and winter
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off and using high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions. Regular maintenance, including snow removal when necessary, can help ensure optimal performance year-round.
In conclusion, while Traun's location presents challenges for consistent year-round solar energy production, particularly in winter, it offers excellent potential during the warmer months. With proper installation techniques and maintenance, solar PV systems can still provide a significant contribution to the area's energy needs.
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 Traun
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.2134, Longitude: 14.2341 (Traun, 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 Traun, Austria
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Traun, Austria (Lat/Long 48.2134, 14.2341) 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 Traun, 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 Traun, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0° in Summer | 0° in Autumn | 0° in Winter | 0° 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 Traun, 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 Traun, 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 Traun, Austria
The topography around Traun, Austria is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills and flat plains. Traun is situated in the Upper Austrian Alpine Foreland, which is a transitional zone between the Alps to the south and the Danube Valley to the north. The landscape in this area is primarily shaped by glacial and fluvial processes from the last ice age.
The immediate surroundings of Traun are relatively flat, as the town is located in the Traun-Danube Valley. This area is part of a larger region known as the Linz-Wels Basin, which is characterized by its low-lying terrain and fertile soils. As you move away from the town center, the landscape gradually becomes more undulating, with gentle hills and small valleys interspersed throughout the region.
To the south and southwest of Traun, the terrain becomes more elevated and hilly as it approaches the foothills of the Alps. These areas are part of the Alpine Foreland and feature a more varied topography with steeper slopes and deeper valleys. In contrast, the areas to the north and northeast of Traun remain relatively flat as they extend towards the Danube River.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat and gently sloping areas in the Traun-Danube Valley and the Linz-Wels Basin would likely be the most appropriate. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy production:
- They have minimal shadowing from surrounding terrain, allowing for maximum sun exposure throughout the day.
- The relatively flat land makes construction and maintenance of solar arrays easier and more cost-effective.
- These areas are often already used for agriculture, which could potentially allow for dual-use of the land (solar farming).
- The proximity to urban areas like Traun and Linz means shorter transmission distances to population centers.
However, it's important to note that the specific suitability of any site for large-scale solar PV would depend on various factors beyond just topography, including local climate conditions, existing land use, grid connection possibilities, and environmental considerations. A detailed site assessment would be necessary to determine the most optimal locations for solar energy development in the region.
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: Monday 12th 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.




