Solar PV Analysis of Marcinelle, Belgium
The location at Marcinelle, Wallonia, Belgium is moderately suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems all year round. The amount of energy a solar panel can produce varies by season: it's highest in the summer and lowest in the winter.
In summer, each kilowatt of installed solar can generate about 5.25 kilowatt-hours per day. In autumn, this drops to about 2.46 kilowatt-hours per day, and in winter it's even lower at around 1.18 kilowatt-hours per day. However, production increases again in spring to approximately 4.63 kilowatt-hours per day.
So if you're considering when to best generate solar energy at this location, summer and spring are the most ideal times due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
For a fixed panel installation here, tilting the panels at an angle of 43 degrees facing South will help maximize total yearly production from your solar PV system.
As for factors that could affect solar production: Marcinelle is located in a region with moderate cloud cover throughout the year which may reduce sunlight availability on some days; however this isn't significant enough to deter from installing a PV system altogether.
The area doesn't have extreme weather conditions or topographical elements like mountains or tall buildings that would significantly block sunlight either.
To ensure greater energy production despite these minor challenges you could consider using higher efficiency panels that perform better under less than ideal light conditions or install trackers which allow your panels to follow the sun's path across the sky for maximum exposure throughout the day.
Remember though that while these measures can increase output they also add cost so it’s important to weigh up whether they make sense economically based on how much additional electricity they will produce over their lifetime compared with their upfront cost.
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 Marcinelle
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.3933, Longitude: 4.4366 (Marcinelle, 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 Marcinelle, Belgium
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Marcinelle, Belgium (Lat/Long 50.3933, 4.4366) 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 Marcinelle, 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 Marcinelle, 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 | 53° South in Autumn | 63° 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 Marcinelle, 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 Marcinelle, 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 Marcinelle, Belgium
Marcinelle is located in the Walloon region of Belgium, specifically in the province of Hainaut. The topography around Marcinelle is relatively flat with some slight rolling hills, which are typical characteristics of this part of Belgium. The area is also characterized by a mix of urban and rural landscapes.
In terms of solar PV suitability, large-scale solar farms require a significant amount of open and relatively flat land for maximum efficiency. In this context, the rural areas surrounding Marcinelle would be more suitable than the urban areas due to fewer obstructions like buildings or trees that can block sunlight.
However, it's important to note that success in installing large-scale solar PV doesn't solely depend on topography but also on factors such as local climate (amount and intensity of sunlight), legal regulations, economic incentives, grid connectivity among others.
For instance, despite Belgium's relatively high latitude (which results in less intense sunlight compared to closer equatorial regions), it has been able to develop a considerable amount of its energy from solar power thanks to favourable government policies and public acceptance.
Therefore while identifying potential sites for large scale Solar PV installations around Marcinelle or any other place it would be crucial to consider all these factors together rather than just focusing on topographical aspects.
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: Monday 22nd of January 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.
