Solar PV Analysis of Oulu, Finland
The location at Oulu, North Ostrobothnia, Finland is not ideal for year-round energy generation via solar PV due to its position in the Northern Temperate Zone. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels changes with each season. During the summer, you can expect about 5.83kWh per day for each kW of installed solar power, which is pretty good. In autumn this drops significantly to 1.06kWh/day and in winter it's even lower at just 0.26kWh/day due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. Spring sees a rise again with around 3.78kWh/day.
The most ideal times of year to generate solar energy at this location are during the spring and summer months when there is more sunlight available for longer periods during the day.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 53 degrees towards the south would maximize total year-round production from solar PV as it helps capture more sunlight over the course of a day.
There could be several local factors that might affect solar production here:
1) Weather: Oulu experiences long winters with short daylight hours and heavy snowfall which may cover panels reducing their efficiency.
2) Topography: If there are tall trees or buildings casting shadows on your panels, they will produce less electricity.
3) Environmental: Dust or dirt accumulating on your panels can also reduce their efficiency.
Preventive measures include:
- Regular cleaning and maintenance of your panels especially after snowfall or dust storms.
- Positioning your installation carefully so that it avoids shadows as much as possible.
- Using advanced technology like tracking systems that follow sun’s path across sky can help increase output during low light conditions but would add to cost.
In conclusion, while it's possible to generate some power using solar PV in Oulu, North Ostrobothnia, Finland - particularly in spring and summer - there are challenges due to seasonal variations in sunlight and local conditions that need to be managed carefully.
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 Oulu
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 65.0412, Longitude: 25.4225 (Oulu, 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 Oulu, Finland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Oulu, Finland (Lat/Long 65.0412, 25.4225) 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 Oulu, 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 Oulu, 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 Oulu, 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 Oulu, 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 Oulu, Finland
Oulu, Finland is located in the Northern Ostrobothnia region. The topography of this area is relatively flat with low-lying plains and some hilly areas. It's surrounded by forests and lakes, typical of Finnish landscape. The city itself is situated on the delta of the Oulu River, with numerous islands dotting its coastline.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat open spaces are preferable as they offer unobstructed sunlight exposure. Therefore, the plains around Oulu could be suitable for such installations. However, it's important to note that Oulu is quite far north and experiences relatively short daylight hours during winter months which might affect energy production efficiency.
The use of floating solar panels could also be considered on some larger lakes surrounding Oulu during summer months when these water bodies are not frozen.
However, any such project would require detailed feasibility studies considering factors like local climate conditions (including snowfall), land availability and usage restrictions, connection to power grid etc., before proceeding with installation.
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 18th of March 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.
