Solar PV Analysis of Aix-en-Provence, France
Aix-en-Provence, France is a pretty good spot for generating solar energy year-round. However, the amount of energy you can generate changes with the seasons.
In simple terms, if you have 1 kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed at this location, here's what you could expect:
- In summer, your panels could produce about 7.52 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each day.
- In autumn, they would make around 3.60 kWh/day.
- Winter would be the least productive season with about 2.23 kWh/day.
- Spring would see an increase again to approximately 5.93 kWh/day.
So while there's less sunlight in autumn and winter which reduces how much energy your solar panels can generate during these periods; spring and especially summer are great times for producing solar power because there's more sunlight available.
To get the most out of your solar panel system throughout the year in Aix-en-Provence, it should ideally be installed at a tilt angle facing south by about 37 degrees from horizontal level. This position allows it to capture as much sunlight as possible all year round.
As far as environmental or local factors that might affect your ability to produce solar power here go - like anywhere else in the world - things such as shade from buildings or trees nearby can block sunlight and reduce how much electricity your panels can generate. Also weather conditions such as heavy cloud cover or snowfall on your panels could also lower their output temporarily.
To help prevent these issues:
1) You'd want to install your system where it gets clear exposure to sun for most part of the day without being obstructed by shadows from nearby structures or vegetation.
2) Regular maintenance will also ensure that any dirt or debris like leaves/snow doesn't build up on top of them blocking out light over time.
Remember though that even though some days or seasons might be less ideal for solar power generation than others, your system will still produce electricity - just not as much. And over the course of a year, it can still add up to a significant amount of clean, renewable energy.
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 627 locations across France. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in France by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Aix-en-Provence
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.5312, Longitude: 5.4554 (Aix-en-Provence, France), 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 37° South in Aix-en-Provence, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Aix-en-Provence, France (Lat/Long 43.5312, 5.4554) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Aix-en-Provence, France
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 Aix-en-Provence, France. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° South in Summer | 48° South in Autumn | 58° South in Winter | 36° 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 Aix-en-Provence, France
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 Aix-en-Provence, France.
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 Aix-en-Provence, France
Aix-en-Provence is located in the southeastern part of France. The topography of the area is generally characterized by a mix of flatlands, hills, and low-lying mountains. It is surrounded by several natural features such as Montagne Sainte-Victoire to the east and the Durance River to the west.
The climate in Aix-en-Provence is Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters. This region enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, making it one of the sunniest areas in France.
Regarding large-scale solar PV projects, suitable locations would need to have good sunlight exposure throughout the year and relatively flat terrain for easy installation and maintenance. Areas with little tree cover would also be ideal to minimize shading on solar panels.
Given these factors, potential suitable areas could include:
1) The flatlands around Aix-en-Provence: These areas are typically used for agriculture but could potentially accommodate large-scale solar installations if land use can be negotiated.
2) Unused or abandoned industrial lands: Repurposing these sites for renewable energy generation can help reduce environmental impact while generating clean power.
3) Rooftops within urban areas: Large commercial or industrial buildings often have expansive rooftops that can host significant amounts of solar panels.
It's important to note that any proposed project would need thorough site assessments including social-economic factors (like land price), grid connection possibilities, environmental impact studies etc., before proceeding.
France solar PV Stats as a country
France ranks 11th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 14,718 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 2.80% of France's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 30th in the world). Each year France is generating 218 Watts from solar PV per capita (France ranks 23rd in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in France?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in France. The French government offers a range of financial incentives and tax credits to encourage businesses to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include the Feed-in Tariff (FiT), which pays businesses for the electricity they generate from their solar panels, and the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a 30% tax credit on investments made in renewable energy systems. Additionally, businesses may be eligible for grants or loans from local authorities or regional development agencies.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in France? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 3rd of June 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.
