Solar PV Analysis of Vaasa, Finland
The location of Vaasa, Ostrobothnia, Finland is not ideal for year-round energy generation through solar panels. The amount of energy that can be produced varies greatly with the seasons. In summer, you can expect to generate about 5.92 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This drops dramatically in autumn to 1.18 kWh/day and even further in winter to just 0.35 kWh/day before picking up again in spring at around 4.11 kWh/day.
In simple terms, this means that your solar panels will produce a lot more electricity during the sunny summer months and during spring compared to the darker winter and autumn months when there's less sunlight.
To maximize production throughout the year, it's recommended that you tilt your solar panels at an angle of 52 degrees facing south if they are fixed and cannot be adjusted seasonally.
There may also be local factors that could affect how much energy your solar panels produce like environmental conditions, weather patterns or physical features of the land such as hills or trees blocking sunlight from reaching your panels.
For instance, Finland experiences long periods without sunlight during winter which would significantly reduce power output from solar PV systems during these months. Additionally, snowfall could cover your solar panels reducing their efficiency unless regularly cleaned off.
Weather conditions like cloud cover can also reduce how much sun reaches your panels thereby affecting their performance too but this is less predictable and changes frequently over time.
If there are any obstacles like buildings or vegetation blocking direct sunlight from reaching your panel then you might have to consider installing them somewhere else where they get unobstructed access to sunlight for most part of the day all year round.
To prevent such issues hindering power production from your system:
- Regularly clean off any snowfall on top of them especially during winter.
- Install them somewhere where they get maximum exposure to direct sunlight throughout the year.
- If there are any physical obstacles blocking sunlight, consider installing the panels somewhere else.
Remember, while solar energy can still be harnessed in less than ideal locations like Vaasa, Ostrobothnia, Finland; it's important to understand these limitations and plan accordingly for maximum efficiency.
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 Vaasa
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 63.0945, Longitude: 21.631 (Vaasa, 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 52° South in Vaasa, Finland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Vaasa, Finland (Lat/Long 63.0945, 21.631) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 52° 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 Vaasa, 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 Vaasa, Finland. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 52° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46° South in Summer | 64° South in Autumn | 74° South in Winter | 54° 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 Vaasa, 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 Vaasa, 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 Vaasa, Finland
Vaasa, Finland is located on the west coast of the country, near the Gulf of Bothnia. The topography in and around Vaasa is relatively flat, with low-lying coastal plains and scattered islands off the coast. The area features a mix of urban areas, forests, agricultural lands and water bodies.
Despite its northern latitude which results in fewer annual hours of sunlight compared to regions closer to the equator, solar PV can still be viable in Vaasa. In fact, Finland has been investing increasingly in solar energy.
The most suited areas for large-scale solar PV installations would likely be:
1. Unused or underutilized land: This could include brownfield sites or other open spaces that are not currently serving any other purpose.
2. Agricultural lands: Solar panels can be installed above crops on agricultural lands without significantly impacting their growth.
3. Rooftops: Large buildings such as warehouses or factories may have extensive rooftop space that could accommodate solar panels.
4. Near existing infrastructure: To minimize connection costs it would be beneficial to locate large scale installations close to existing electrical grid infrastructure.
However, it's important to note that suitability for large-scale solar also depends on factors like local regulations and policies, availability of grid connections and public acceptance among others.
It's also worth mentioning that while Vaasa may not have as much sunlight as more southerly locations (due to its high latitude), during summer months it experiences long days with many hours of sunlight due to its location within the Arctic Circle's "Land of Midnight Sun." This could potentially offset some limitations related to less sun exposure during winter months.
Finally,
A comprehensive feasibility study including detailed irradiance data analysis would provide a more accurate picture about potential sites for largescale solar PV around Vaasa.
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 5th 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.
