Solar PV Analysis of Hasselt, Belgium
Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium is a location that can generate energy through solar panels all year round, but the amount of energy produced varies depending on the season. The most productive time for generating solar power is in the summer when you can expect to produce about 5.25 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panel capacity. Spring is also a good time with an output of approximately 4.63 kWh/day per kW.
On the other hand, autumn and winter see less production due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun angles - you can expect around 2.46 kWh/day per kW in autumn and only about 1.18 kWh/day per kW in winter.
To maximize your yearly solar energy output at this location, it's recommended that fixed panel installations are tilted at an angle of approximately 43 degrees facing south.
As far as local factors that might affect your solar energy production go, Belgium generally has a temperate maritime climate characterized by moderate temperatures throughout the year but it does have overcast skies quite often which could reduce sunlight availability for your panels.
Also during winter months there may be snowfall which could cover up your panels temporarily reducing their productivity until cleared off. So some preventative measures would include installing automatic or easy-to-use manual systems for clearing off snow from your panels if needed or considering options like tracking mounts that move with the sun to maximize exposure even on cloudy days.
In conclusion, while Hasselt isn't located in one of those ideal sunny locations where you'd get maximum possible output all year round like near equator regions; it still offers potential for reasonable levels of solar production particularly during spring and summer months with proper installation set-up considerations taken into account.
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 Hasselt
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.935, Longitude: 5.3372 (Hasselt, 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 Hasselt, Belgium
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hasselt, Belgium (Lat/Long 50.935, 5.3372) 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 Hasselt, 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 Hasselt, 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 Hasselt, 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 Hasselt, 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 Hasselt, Belgium
Hasselt is located in the Flemish region of Belgium. The topography around Hasselt is relatively flat, as it is situated on a plateau known as the Kempen, which extends into neighboring Netherlands and Germany. This area consists mostly of sandy soils with some areas of marshland.
The flat terrain makes it well-suited for large-scale solar PV installations. However, there are several factors to consider when choosing an appropriate location for such a project:
1. Sunlight: The amount of sunlight received by an area directly influences the productivity of a solar power installation. In this regard, southern parts of Hasselt or any open fields with less obstruction to sunlight would be ideal.
2. Land Use: Solar farms require large tracts of land that are not being used for other purposes like agriculture or housing.
3. Proximity to Power Grids: It's also important that these installations be close enough to existing power grids for easy connection and transmission.
4. Environmental Impact: Any potential site should have minimal impact on local wildlife and ecosystems.
Considering all these factors, suitable locations might include unused industrial lands or reclaimed mining sites in nearby Limburg province which has been identified as having great solar potential due its history in coal mining leaving behind large swaths of unused land.
However, specific feasibility studies would need to be conducted before making any final decisions about where exactly to place such installations within Hasselt or its surrounding areas.
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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 8th of April 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.
