Solar PV Analysis of Viljandi, Estonia
Viljandi, Estonia is not an ideal location for year-round solar energy production due to its position in the Northern Temperate Zone. The amount of electricity generated from solar panels varies by season: during summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can produce 5.83 kilowatts per hour (kWh) per day; this drops to 1.67 kWh/day in autumn and further down to just 0.60 kWh/day in winter. Spring sees a rise again with about 3.93 kWh/day produced per kW of installed solar.
The best time for generating solar energy at this location would be the summer when daylight hours are longest and the sun is at its highest point in the sky most of the day - resulting in more direct sunlight hitting the panels.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting them at an angle of 48 degrees facing South would maximize total year-round production from your solar photovoltaic system because it aligns better with where the sun's rays come from throughout different times of year.
There may be some local factors that could impede solar production significantly here such as snowfall during winter months which could cover panels reducing their efficiency or even damaging them physically if heavy enough; also generally overcast skies during other seasons might reduce light intensity reaching panels thereby lowering output levels too.
Preventative measures can be taken when installing your system like choosing durable materials able to withstand harsh weather conditions and ensuring regular maintenance checks are carried out especially before onset of winter so any necessary repairs or adjustments can be made timely; also consider investing in systems that allow you to adjust tilt angles depending on season or even automatically track sun's movement across sky for maximum exposure throughout day irrespective of season.
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 Viljandi
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 58.3619, Longitude: 25.5897 (Viljandi, 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 Viljandi, Estonia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Viljandi, Estonia (Lat/Long 58.3619, 25.5897) 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 Viljandi, 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 Viljandi, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41° South in Summer | 60° South in Autumn | 70° South in Winter | 50° 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 Viljandi, 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 Viljandi, 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 Viljandi, Estonia
Viljandi, Estonia is located in a hilly region with the Sakala Upland to the north and Vooremaa to the east. The town itself sits on the edge of a lake, Viljandi järv. The landscape features numerous lakes, rivers and forests.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are typically most suitable as they require less groundwork and allow for easier installation and maintenance of solar panels. Considering this, potential locations near Viljandi could include:
1. Agricultural lands: These are often relatively flat and clear of obstructions that could block sunlight such as trees or buildings.
2. Industrial zones: If there are any industrial areas nearby with large rooftops or unused land, these can also be ideal for installing solar panels.
3. Brownfield sites: These previously developed lands that have become vacant can provide ample space for large-scale solar projects.
However, it's important to note that suitability also depends on other factors such as local climate (amount of sunshine), grid connection availability and environmental restrictions etc., which should be assessed in a detailed feasibility study.
Additionally, despite Estonia being quite far north (which means fewer sun hours compared to countries closer to equator) it still has potential for utilizing solar power due its relatively long summer days with high irradiance levels.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 20th of May 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.
