Solar PV Analysis of Tienen, Belgium
The location at Tienen, Flanders, Belgium is somewhat suitable for solar energy production throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be generated from solar panels varies across different seasons due to changes in sunlight intensity and duration.
During summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels can produce an average of 5.25 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day, which is quite good. Spring also has a decent output with around 4.63 kWh/day per kW installed. These two seasons are therefore the most ideal times for generating solar power in Tienen.
However, during autumn and winter, the energy output drops significantly to 2.46 kWh/day and 1.18 kWh/day respectively because these seasons have shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight.
For an optimal setup at this location, your fixed panel installation should tilt towards south at an angle of about 43 degrees to maximize total year-round production from your solar photovoltaic system.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could impede solar production in this area are concerned: Belgium has a maritime temperate climate with significant rainfall throughout the year but especially in summer months; hence cloud coverage might reduce efficiency of the panels occasionally but not drastically enough to undermine their utility entirely.
To ensure greater energy production despite these factors, it's important when installing your system to consider measures such as using high-efficiency modules which perform better under cloudy conditions or integrating battery storage systems into your setup so excess power generated during sunny periods can be stored for use during periods with less sunlight like night-time or overcast days.
Also consider regular maintenance including cleaning off any debris or bird droppings on panels which may block light absorption thus reducing their efficiency; if there are trees nearby that cast shadows on where you plan on placing panels then trimming them back would also help increase exposure time to direct sunlight thereby maximizing potential generation capacity.
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 192 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 Tienen
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.8108, Longitude: 4.9442 (Tienen, 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 Tienen, Belgium
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tienen, Belgium (Lat/Long 50.8108, 4.9442) 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 Tienen, 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 Tienen, 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 Tienen, 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 Tienen, 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 Tienen, Belgium
Tienen, Belgium is located in the Flemish region and is characterized by a flat to gently rolling topography. The land around Tienen is primarily used for agriculture, with large fields that could potentially be suitable for solar PV installations.
The area has a temperate maritime climate which means it experiences moderate levels of sunlight throughout the year. While it may not have as much sunlight as more southern European locations, solar power can still be viable due to advances in technology and efficiency.
Areas most suited to large-scale solar PV would likely be the extensive agricultural lands surrounding Tienen. These areas are relatively flat and open, providing plenty of exposure to sunlight without significant shading from trees or buildings. Additionally, using these lands for dual purposes (agriculture and solar power generation) could provide additional benefits.
However, any plans for such installations would need to consider potential impacts on local ecosystems, current land use practices including farming rights and operations, as well as local regulations related to renewable energy projects. It's always recommended that detailed feasibility studies are conducted before planning largescale solar PV projects.
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: Tuesday 30th of April 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
