Solar PV Analysis of Etterbeek, Belgium
The location at Etterbeek, Brussels Capital, Belgium, is moderately suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. The amount of electricity generated by a solar PV system depends on the amount of sunlight it receives. In this case, during the summer months, when there's more sunlight available and days are longer, one can expect to generate around 5.25 kWh per day from each kW of installed solar power.
In contrast, during autumn and winter months when daylight hours are fewer and sunlight intensity reduces due to weather conditions like cloud cover or foggy days etc., the expected output drops significantly to around 2.46 kWh/day in Autumn and only about 1.18kWh/day in Winter per kW of installed solar.
However, as spring arrives with longer daylight hours and better sun exposure conditions than winter/autumn but less than summer; one could expect an average daily production closer to that seen in Summer i.e., around 4.63kWh/day from each kW of installed solar.
Given these figures for different seasons throughout the year at this specific location in Belgium; it would seem that installing a fixed panel Solar PV system here might be most beneficial if done so with a focus on maximizing production during Spring & Summer times primarily - as these periods offer best sun exposure conditions overall.
As for any local factors that could impede solar production at this location: Belgium generally has a temperate maritime climate characterized by moderate temperatures all year round which may not pose major impediments as such but cloudy/foggy/rainy days especially prevalent during Autumn/Winter months might reduce output significantly compared to ideal sunny conditions.
To counteract some potential issues related to weather/climate affecting energy generation from your Solar PV installation; you should ideally install panels at an angle tilted towards south (43 degrees South specifically), which ensures maximum possible sun exposure across different times of day/year thereby optimizing total annual electricity generation from your system.
Also, regular maintenance of the solar panels to ensure they are clean and free from dust or snow in winter can help maintain their efficiency. Furthermore, using high-quality PV modules with good performance under low light conditions can also help mitigate some of these weather-related production issues.
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 Etterbeek
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.8345, Longitude: 4.386 (Etterbeek, 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 Etterbeek, Belgium
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Etterbeek, Belgium (Lat/Long 50.8345, 4.386) 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 Etterbeek, 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 Etterbeek, 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 Etterbeek, 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 Etterbeek, 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 Etterbeek, Belgium
Etterbeek is located in the central part of Belgium, which is characterized by a relatively flat landscape. The area is urbanized as it's a part of Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. There are some green spaces like parks and gardens but overall, it's largely built-up with residential and commercial buildings.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas with minimal shading are typically most suitable. In this context, there may be limited opportunities within Etterbeek itself due to its urban nature. However, potential sites could include large rooftops on commercial or industrial buildings or other infrastructure such as car parks where solar canopies could be installed.
In terms of larger scale ground-mounted systems, these might need to be located further away from the town in less densely populated areas where more open land is available. A detailed feasibility study would need to be carried out to identify specific locations taking into account factors such as local planning regulations and grid connection availability.
It's also worth noting that Belgium has a temperate maritime climate with relatively high levels of cloud cover which can impact the efficiency of solar PV systems. Despite this, solar energy still has significant potential in the country particularly when combined with battery storage or other forms of flexible generation to balance supply and demand.
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: Tuesday 16th 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.
