Solar PV Analysis of Kose, Estonia
The location at Kose, Harjumaa, Estonia is not the most ideal for year-round energy generation via solar PV due to its position in the Northern Temperate Zone. This means that it experiences significant variation in sunlight throughout the year due to changing seasons.
In summer, you can expect quite good solar production with around 5.99kWh of electricity output per day for each kW of installed solar panel capacity. Spring also provides decent productivity with about 3.97kWh/day per kW installed.
However, during autumn and especially winter, the amount of sunlight available decreases significantly which reduces how much energy can be produced from solar panels. In autumn you might get about 1.54kWh/day per kW installed and in winter this drops even further to only around 0.50kWh/day per kW installed.
Therefore, if you are considering installing a fixed panel system at this location, it would be best to do so with an understanding that your highest levels of energy generation will likely occur during spring and summer months.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system at this location, panels should ideally be tilted at an angle of roughly 48 degrees facing towards the South as this will allow them to capture as much sunlight as possible throughout different times of the day and across different seasons.
As far as environmental or weather factors go that could impede on solar production here: given Estonia's northern latitude it has long winters with short daylight hours which can limit potential for power generation; there may also be issues related to snowfall covering panels thereby reducing their effectiveness; plus cloud cover is relatively high compared to sunnier climates which could further reduce potential output from a PV system.
To mitigate against these factors when installing a PV system in such locations: consider incorporating technologies like snow guards or automatic panel cleaning systems into your design; ensure proper site assessment before installation (including evaluation of local climate data) so you know what challenges might need to be addressed; and consider using more efficient panels or even tracking systems that can follow the sun's path across the sky for increased exposure.
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 20 locations across Estonia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Estonia by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Kose
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 59.1764, Longitude: 25.1788 (Kose, Estonia), 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 48° South in Kose, Estonia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kose, Estonia (Lat/Long 59.1764, 25.1788) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 48° 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 Kose, Estonia
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 Kose, Estonia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 48° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42° South in Summer | 61° South in Autumn | 71° South in Winter | 51° 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 Kose, Estonia
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 Kose, Estonia.
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 Kose, Estonia
Kose, Estonia is located in the Harju County and is characterized by a relatively flat topography with some small hills. The landscape consists mainly of agricultural lands, forests, and some urban areas.
As for large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable locations would be open and flat areas that receive plenty of sunlight throughout the year. In Kose's case, these could potentially include:
1) Agricultural Lands: Large tracts of farmland can be ideal for installing solar panels since they are usually flat and unobstructed. However, this must be balanced against the need to preserve land for food production.
2) Brownfield Sites: These are sites that have been previously used for industrial purposes or other types of development but are not currently in use. Such sites can often accommodate large-scale solar installations without impacting valuable agricultural or natural lands.
3) Rooftops: While not suitable for "large-scale" per se, rooftops in urban areas can also host smaller scale distributed solar PV systems. This approach has the advantage of utilizing existing structures and being close to electricity consumers.
It's important to note that suitability also depends on factors like local climate (amount of sunny days), legal regulations (some jurisdictions may restrict where you can install large scale solar parks), grid connectivity (proximity to power lines), etc., which were not specified in your question.
Finally remember that while Estonia doesn't get as much sun as more southern countries it still gets enough sun to make Solar PV viable especially during summer months when days are long.
Estonia solar PV Stats as a country
Estonia ranks 58th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 414 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Estonia is generating 311 Watts from solar PV per capita (Estonia ranks 13th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Estonia?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Estonia. The Estonian government offers a range of financial support and tax incentives for businesses that invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include grants, loans, and tax deductions. Additionally, the government has set up a feed-in tariff system which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar power.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Estonia? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 27th 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.
