Solar PV Analysis of Pirkkala, Finland
The location at Pirkkala, Pirkanmaa, Finland, is not ideal for year-round solar energy production due to its position in the Northern Temperate Zone. However, there are certain times of the year when solar energy generation could be more productive.
During summer months, you can expect an output of about 5.78 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power capacity. This means that during the long days and sunny weather of summer, your solar panels would produce a good amount of electricity.
In contrast, autumn and winter see a significant drop in potential output to 1.28 kWh/day and 0.46 kWh/day respectively because of shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight due to the tilt of Earth's axis. Spring sees an increase again with around 3.95 kWh/day as daylight hours start getting longer.
To maximize total annual production from your solar panels at this location, it's recommended to tilt them at an angle facing 50 degrees South which will help capture more sunlight throughout different seasons.
There might be some local factors that could affect your solar panel performance though:
- Weather conditions: In Pirkkala like much other parts Finland experiences snowfall during winter which can cover up your panels reducing their efficiency.
- Environmental factors: There might also be periods with heavy cloud cover or fog which can reduce sunlight reaching the panels.
To mitigate these issues:
- You could install automated systems or use manual methods to clear off snow from your panels.
- If possible choose a site where there is less likelihood of shading from trees or buildings especially during peak sun hours.
Remember though that even if Pirkkala isn't perfect for year-round high-output solar power generation it doesn't mean it isn't worthwhile; you just need to plan accordingly based on seasonal variations and local environmental conditions.
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 Pirkkala
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 61.4614, Longitude: 23.6516 (Pirkkala, 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 Pirkkala, Finland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pirkkala, Finland (Lat/Long 61.4614, 23.6516) 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 Pirkkala, 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 Pirkkala, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44° South in Summer | 63° South in Autumn | 73° South in Winter | 53° 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 Pirkkala, 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 Pirkkala, 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 Pirkkala, Finland
Pirkkala, Finland, is located in the southern part of the country and features a relatively flat to slightly rolling topography. The land is largely covered by forests and lakes, typical of Finnish geography.
Finland's climate is classified as cold temperate or subarctic, with long, cold winters and short, mild summers. This means that while there are periods of extended daylight in the summer months (up to 19 hours per day), sunshine duration throughout the year is relatively low compared to sunnier climates.
However, this does not necessarily preclude solar power generation. In fact, solar panels can still function effectively under less-than-ideal sunlight conditions due to advances in photovoltaic technology.
When considering suitable locations for large-scale solar PV installations around Pirkkala specifically:
1) Open areas: Large open areas such as fields or cleared lands would be ideal for setting up large-scale solar farms due to minimal shading from trees or buildings.
2) Roofs: Large building complexes with expansive rooftops could also serve as potential sites for installing rooftop solar systems.
3) Bodies of water: Floating photovoltaic systems could potentially be installed on some larger bodies of water like lakes if permitted by local regulations.
It's important to note that aside from geographical considerations; factors such as local weather patterns (cloud cover frequency), snowfall (which may obstruct panels), temperature variations (extreme cold can affect panel efficiency), infrastructure availability (for connecting into power grids), and local permitting regulations should all be considered when assessing suitability for large-scale solar PV 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 21st 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.
