Solar PV Analysis of Auderghem, Belgium
The location of Auderghem, Brussels Capital, Belgium, is somewhat suitable for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, the efficiency varies throughout the year due to seasonal changes in sunlight.
In Summer and Spring, you can expect a good amount of electricity production from solar panels. Specifically, during Summer days you can generate around 5.25 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. In Spring, this figure is slightly lower at about 4.63 kWh/day per kW.
However, in Autumn and Winter the production drops significantly due to less sunlight. During Autumn days you would generate about 2.46 kWh/day per kW and in winter this drops even further to around 1.18 kWh/day per kW.
For maximum year-round energy generation from your solar PV system at this location, it's recommended that your panels are tilted at an angle of approximately 43 degrees facing South.
There may be several local factors that could affect solar production in Auderghem such as building shadows or trees which might block sunlight reaching the panels; cloudy weather or fog which are common in Belgium may also reduce panel efficiency by blocking direct sunlight; snowfall during winter could cover up the panels reducing their performance drastically.
To overcome these potential issues:
- Ensure that there aren't any obstructions like buildings or trees near your installation site.
- Regular maintenance including cleaning off dust and debris will help keep them efficient.
- Consider installing a monitoring system to track performance so you can identify any problems early on.
- For areas with frequent snowfall during winter months consider installing automated panel cleaning systems or tilt mechanisms allowing snow to slide off easily rather than accumulate on top of them.
Remember though while these measures can improve performance they will also add upfront costs so it's important to balance out additional expenses against expected gains from improved productivity when planning your 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 201 locations across Belgium. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Belgium by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Auderghem
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.8152, Longitude: 4.4376 (Auderghem, Belgium), 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 43° South in Auderghem, Belgium
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Auderghem, Belgium (Lat/Long 50.8152, 4.4376) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Auderghem, Belgium
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 Auderghem, Belgium. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34° South in Summer | 54° South in Autumn | 64° South in Winter | 43° 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 Auderghem, Belgium
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 Auderghem, Belgium.
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 Auderghem, Belgium
Auderghem, also known as Oudergem, is situated in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium. The topography of Auderghem and its surrounding areas is relatively flat with a slight incline towards the south-east. There are several parks and green spaces in and around Auderghem such as the Sonian Forest, Woluwe Park, Parc de la Woluwe etc.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat open spaces with ample sunlight exposure are ideal. Given that urban areas like Auderghem might have limited space due to buildings and infrastructure, rooftops can be utilized for installing solar panels. Large commercial or industrial rooftops would be particularly suitable.
In terms of ground-mounted systems on open land, locations outside the dense urban area would likely be more appropriate due to availability of larger plots of land free from shading by buildings or trees. Areas towards the south-east where there's a slight incline could potentially have better sun exposure.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar PV also depends on factors like local climate (amount of sunshine), legal regulations (e.g., zoning laws), grid connectivity etc., not just topography alone.
A detailed site assessment considering all these factors should ideally be performed by an expert before deciding on specific locations for large-scale solar PV installations.
Belgium solar PV Stats as a country
Belgium ranks 19th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 6,585 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 6.60% of Belgium's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 10th in the world). Each year Belgium is generating 569 Watts from solar PV per capita (Belgium ranks 5th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Belgium?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Belgium. The Belgian government offers a range of financial support measures for businesses that invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include tax deductions, grants and subsidies, as well as access to low-interest loans. Additionally, the Flemish Energy Agency (VEA) provides free advice and guidance on how to make the most of these incentives.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Belgium? 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: Wednesday 17th of April 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.
