Solar PV Analysis of Lohja, Finland
Solar energy generation in Lohja, Uusimaa, Finland can be a bit of a mixed bag. This city is located in the Northern Temperate Zone, which means it experiences significant seasonal variations in sunlight.
In summer, you can expect to generate about 5.72 kilowatt-hours per day for every kilowatt of solar panels installed. This is quite good and makes summer the best time for solar energy production at this location.
On the other hand, autumn and winter see a drastic drop in potential solar energy production due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun positions - only about 1.40 kWh/day and 0.50 kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar panels.
Spring sees an improvement with around 3.96 kWh/day per kW of installed solar panels as days become longer again and the sun rises higher.
If you're installing fixed panel installations at this location, you'd want to tilt your panels towards south at an angle of approximately 50 degrees to get the most out of year-round sunlight.
As for local factors that could affect your solar energy production: Finland's long winters come with heavy snowfall which might cover your panels, hindering their ability to absorb sunlight effectively. Also remember that during winter months there are fewer hours of daylight available for power generation compared to summer months.
To counter these issues, ensure regular maintenance like removing snow from your panels during winter months or considering automated cleaning systems if possible; also consider using tilted racking systems so snow slides off more easily by itself due to gravity; additionally having more efficient or extra photovoltaic cells can help compensate for those shorter winter days when less sunlight is available overall.
Lastly while Lohja doesn't have many tall buildings or mountains that could cast shadows on your installation throughout the day (which would impede its performance), always make sure beforehand that there are no obstructions blocking direct access from your installation site towards south where most sunlight comes from.
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 Lohja
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 60.3016, Longitude: 24.146 (Lohja, 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 50° South in Lohja, Finland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lohja, Finland (Lat/Long 60.3016, 24.146) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 50° 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 Lohja, 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 Lohja, Finland. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 50° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43° South in Summer | 62° South in Autumn | 72° South in Winter | 52° 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 Lohja, 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 Lohja, 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 Lohja, Finland
Lohja, Finland is located in the southern part of the country and is characterized by a varied topography with numerous lakes, forests, and hills. The area has a mix of rural landscapes and urban areas.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would likely be open, flat areas that receive ample sunlight throughout the year. This could include cleared land or agricultural fields that are not currently in use. It's also possible to install solar panels on rooftops in urban areas or over parking lots.
However, it's important to note that Finland's northern latitude means it receives less sunlight than countries closer to the equator - especially during winter months when days are short and often cloudy. Therefore, while solar power is certainly possible and can contribute to renewable energy goals, it might need to be supplemented with other sources or stored efficiently for use during darker periods.
Additionally, any plans for large-scale solar installations would need to consider potential impacts on local ecosystems and aim to minimize harm – for example by avoiding forested areas or places with high biodiversity.
Finally, as Lohja has many lakes around it which can potentially increase light reflection (albedo effect), floating photovoltaic systems could also be considered where appropriate.
A detailed site survey would provide more specific information about suitable locations within this region.
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: Monday 12th of February 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.
