Solar PV Analysis of Kempele, Finland
Kempele, North Ostrobothnia, Finland, situated at latitude 64.9199 and longitude 25.4935, presents unique challenges and opportunities for solar PV energy generation. This northern location experiences significant seasonal variations in daylight hours and solar intensity, greatly impacting the potential for solar energy production throughout the year.
Seasonal Solar Energy Output
The solar energy output in Kempele varies dramatically across the seasons. Summer sees the highest production at 5.73 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. This drops significantly to 1.12 kWh/day in autumn and plummets to a mere 0.33 kWh/day in winter. Spring brings a substantial increase, with 3.89 kWh/day of energy production.
These figures highlight the extreme variability in solar potential throughout the year. The long summer days in this northern latitude provide excellent conditions for solar energy generation, while the short, dark winter days severely limit production.
Optimal Panel Tilt
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Kempele, North Ostrobothnia, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 53 degrees facing south. This angle is optimized to capture the most sunlight possible across all seasons, considering the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several environmental and weather factors can significantly impact solar production in Kempele:
- Snow accumulation: Heavy snowfall during winter months can cover solar panels, reducing or completely blocking energy production.
- Low temperatures: Extremely cold temperatures can affect the efficiency of solar panels and associated equipment.
- Limited daylight: The long, dark winters characteristic of this northern latitude severely restrict solar energy production for several months of the year.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these challenges and enhance solar energy production, consider the following measures:
- Install panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off
- Use snow-shedding coatings on panel surfaces
- Implement a regular snow removal maintenance plan
- Choose cold-weather rated equipment designed for northern climates
- Consider bifacial panels to capture reflected light from snow
While Kempele's location poses significant challenges for year-round solar energy production, the extended daylight hours during summer months offer substantial potential. By implementing appropriate measures and optimizing panel placement, it's possible to harness considerable solar energy, particularly from spring through autumn.
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 56 locations across Finland. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Finland by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Kempele
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 64.9199, Longitude: 25.4935 (Kempele, Finland), 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 53° South in Kempele, Finland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kempele, Finland (Lat/Long 64.9199, 25.4935) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 53° 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 Kempele, Finland
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 Kempele, Finland. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 53° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48° South in Summer | 65° South in Autumn | 75° South in Winter | 56° 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 Kempele, Finland
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 Kempele, Finland.
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 Kempele, Finland
The topography around Kempele, Finland, is characterized by relatively flat terrain with gentle slopes. This area is part of the North Ostrobothnian plains, which are typical of the coastal regions in western Finland. The landscape is predominantly low-lying, with elevations generally ranging from sea level to about 20-30 meters above sea level.
Kempele is situated near the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, and the surrounding area features a mix of agricultural land, forests, and wetlands. The terrain is shaped by glacial activity from the last ice age, resulting in some subtle undulations and occasional low hills. However, there are no significant mountains or steep slopes in the immediate vicinity.
To the east of Kempele, the land gradually rises as you move inland, but this increase in elevation is very gradual over many kilometers. The region also includes numerous small lakes, ponds, and streams, which are common features of the Finnish landscape.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few factors to consider:
The most suitable locations for solar PV in this region would likely be open, flat areas with minimal shading from trees or buildings. Agricultural fields or cleared land that is not currently in use could be potential candidates. Areas slightly inland from the coast might be preferable to avoid potential salt spray from the Gulf of Bothnia, which could affect solar panel efficiency over time.
It's important to note that while the topography around Kempele is generally favorable for solar installations, the high latitude of the region presents challenges. The area experiences long periods of darkness in winter and extended daylight in summer, which affects the overall efficiency and energy production of solar PV systems throughout the year.
Any large-scale solar project in this area would need to carefully consider these seasonal variations, as well as local zoning regulations and environmental impact assessments. Consultation with local authorities and energy experts would be essential to identify the most suitable specific locations for such installations.
Finland solar PV Stats as a country
Finland ranks 59th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 404 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 0.30% of Finland's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 41st in the world). Each year Finland is generating 73 Watts from solar PV per capita (Finland ranks 45th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Finland?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Finland. The Finnish government offers a range of financial support and tax incentives for businesses that invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. This includes 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 Finland? 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: Thursday 22nd of August 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.
