Wels, Upper Austria, Austria, situated at latitude 48.1676 and longitude 14.031, presents a varied landscape for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this city experiences distinct seasonal changes that significantly impact solar PV output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Wels, Upper Austria, with an impressive daily output of 5.96 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 4.42 kWh/day. Autumn sees a notable decrease in production at 2.82 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 1.39 kWh/day.

The substantial variation between seasons highlights the importance of considering year-round performance when planning solar installations in Wels. The period from late spring through early autumn offers the most favorable conditions for solar energy production, with longer days and higher sun angles contributing to increased efficiency.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Wels, Upper Austria, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 41 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the city's latitude and seasonal sun positions.

Environmental Considerations

While Wels generally offers good conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

1. Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency.
2. Fog, particularly common in autumn and winter, may slightly decrease solar irradiance.

To mitigate these issues, installing panels at the recommended 41-degree angle helps with snow shedding. Additionally, using high-quality, anti-reflective glass on panels can improve performance in foggy conditions. Regular maintenance, including snow removal when necessary, is also crucial for optimal year-round performance.

Overall, while Wels experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, proper installation techniques and ongoing maintenance can help maximize energy production throughout the year.

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 Wels

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.1676, Longitude: 14.031 (Wels, 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 Wels, Austria

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wels, Austria (Lat/Long 48.1676, 14.031) 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 Wels, 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 Wels, 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	51° 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 Wels, 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 Wels, Austria.

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 Wels, Austria

The topography around Wels, Austria, is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from the flat plains of the Danube Valley to the rolling hills of the Alpine foothills. Wels itself is situated in the Hausruckviertel region, which is part of the larger Upper Austrian Alpine Foreland. To the north of Wels, the terrain is predominantly flat, with the Traun River flowing through the area. This river valley provides a wide, open expanse that gradually rises towards the south. As one moves away from the city center, the landscape becomes more undulating, with gentle hills and small valleys dotting the countryside. Towards the south and southeast, the terrain becomes more pronounced, with the foothills of the Alps beginning to make their presence felt. These areas feature a mix of forested slopes and agricultural lands, creating a patchwork of green that stretches towards the mountains in the distance.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Wels, several factors come into play. The most promising areas would likely be found in the flatter regions to the north and northeast of the city. These areas offer several advantages for solar PV development: Firstly, the relatively flat terrain of the Danube Valley provides ample space for large arrays of solar panels without the need for extensive land modification. This reduces installation costs and minimizes environmental impact. Secondly, these open areas receive more consistent sunlight throughout the day, as there are fewer natural obstacles like hills or mountains to cast shadows or obstruct solar radiation. This maximizes the potential energy generation from the solar panels. Additionally, the agricultural lands surrounding Wels could potentially accommodate solar farms. Many farmers in the region might be open to leasing portions of their land for solar installations, providing an additional source of income while still allowing for some agricultural activities to continue beneath and around the panels. It's worth noting that while the hilly areas to the south might seem appealing due to their elevated position, they may not be as suitable for large-scale installations. The varied terrain could complicate construction and maintenance, and the slopes might not always face the optimal direction for solar energy capture. Ultimately, any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site-specific assessments, taking into account not only the topography but also local regulations, grid connection possibilities, and environmental considerations. However, the areas north of Wels present the most promising potential for such developments based on the regional topography.

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

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.