Solar PV Analysis of Tampere, Finland
Tampere, Pirkanmaa, Finland is in a location where the amount of solar energy that can be produced changes significantly throughout the year. In simple terms, if you install a solar power system there, it will generate much more electricity in some seasons than others.
In summer, for example, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels could produce about 5.78 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day. That's quite good! But as we move into autumn and winter, those numbers drop dramatically to 1.28 kWh/day and then just 0.46 kWh/day respectively due to shorter days and less sunlight.
Spring sees an increase again with around 3.95 kWh/day being generated per kW of installed solar panels as the days start getting longer and sunnier.
If you're looking at maximizing your total yearly output from your solar panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of approximately 50 degrees facing south would be ideal.
As for local factors that might affect how much energy you can get from your solar setup in Tampere - yes there are a few things to consider:
Firstly, Finland gets quite cold in winter which can lead to snow accumulation on the panels blocking sunlight; however this is not usually a significant issue because snow often slides off due to the tilted angle of installation or melts away quickly when exposed to sunlight. It's also worth noting that colder temperatures actually improve PV efficiency – so while there’s less sunshine hours during Finnish winters any sun exposure does count for more!
Secondly, Finland experiences long periods without direct sunlight during winter months known as polar nights which obviously limit potential for generating power via solar PV during these times.
To mitigate these issues it would be advisable to ensure regular maintenance including clearing off any accumulated snow promptly especially after heavy falls and considering supplemental sources of power during extended periods without sufficient sunlight e.g., wind turbine or grid connection.
In summary, while Tampere isn't the most ideal location for year-round solar power generation due to its seasonal variations in sunlight, it can still be a viable option especially during spring and summer months. Just bear in mind that you'll need to manage your energy needs carefully during autumn and winter or have an alternative source of power available.
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 Tampere
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 61.4492, Longitude: 23.8557 (Tampere, 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 Tampere, Finland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tampere, Finland (Lat/Long 61.4492, 23.8557) 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 Tampere, 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 Tampere, 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 Tampere, 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 Tampere, 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 Tampere, Finland
Tampere, Finland, is located in the Pirkanmaa region of southern Finland. The topography around Tampere is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain, with numerous lakes and forests. It's part of the Finnish Lakeland, an extensive area in central and eastern Finland that has thousands of lakes separated by hilly woody terrain.
Despite its northern location, solar PV can still be viable in this region during certain parts of the year when daylight hours are long. However, considering the geographical characteristics and climatic conditions (including snowfall), large-scale solar PV installations would likely need to be optimally angled towards the sun for maximum efficiency and equipped with systems to prevent snow accumulation.
Flat areas would generally be more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations due to easier installation and maintenance. Therefore, any relatively flat open spaces or cleared land areas could potentially be suited for such a project. Also worth considering are rooftops on large buildings like warehouses or factories which can also host solar panels.
However, it's important to note that latitude alone does not determine suitability for solar energy production - factors such as local weather patterns (cloud cover) also play a significant role.
Moreover, given that Tampere is quite far north meaning less sunlight especially during winter months; combined heat power plants using renewable sources might provide better efficiency overall than relying solely on photovoltaic power generation.
Ultimately any decision about installing large scale solar PV should consider all these factors along with detailed feasibility studies including technical aspects as well as financial viability based on local electricity tariffs etc.
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 4th of April 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.
