Solar PV Analysis of Angers, France
Angers, Pays de la Loire, France, situated at 47.4704° N latitude and -0.5463° E longitude, presents a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This city in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which is typical for its geographical position.
Seasonal Solar Energy Production
The solar energy output in Angers varies considerably across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 5.73 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.40 kWh per day. These seasons offer ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production.
Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in energy output, dropping to 3.13 kWh per day. Winter presents the greatest challenge, with production plummeting to just 1.47 kWh per day. This significant seasonal variation highlights the importance of efficient system design and energy management strategies to ensure year-round reliability.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Angers, Pays de la Loire, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 41 degrees facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the city's latitude and the sun's changing position throughout the year, ensuring the best possible energy capture across all seasons.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Angers generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact efficiency:
- Cloud cover: Angers experiences frequent cloudy days, particularly in autumn and winter, which can reduce solar panel efficiency.
- Rainfall: The city receives moderate rainfall throughout the year, which can temporarily decrease energy production.
To mitigate these challenges, consider implementing the following measures:
- Use high-efficiency solar panels that perform well in low-light conditions.
- Install a robust cleaning system or schedule regular maintenance to remove dust and debris, ensuring optimal panel performance.
- Implement a smart energy storage system to balance out production fluctuations caused by weather variations.
Despite these considerations, Angers remains a viable location for solar PV installations. With proper planning and the right equipment, it's possible to harness significant solar energy throughout the year, particularly during the productive spring and summer months.
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 Angers
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.4704, Longitude: -0.5463 (Angers, 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 41° South in Angers, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Angers, France (Lat/Long 47.4704, -0.5463) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 41° 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 Angers, 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 Angers, France. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 41° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31° South in Summer | 51° South in Autumn | 61° South in Winter | 40° 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 Angers, 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 Angers, 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 Angers, France
The topography around Angers, France, is characterized by gently rolling hills and river valleys. The city itself is situated along the Maine River, which is formed by the confluence of the Mayenne and Sarthe rivers just north of Angers. The surrounding landscape is part of the Loire Valley region, known for its mild climate and fertile soils.
To the north and east of Angers, the terrain gradually rises into low hills, with elevations typically ranging from 50 to 100 meters above sea level. These hills are often covered with a mix of agricultural land, vineyards, and small forests. To the south and west, the land is generally flatter, with more expansive agricultural areas and occasional patches of woodland.
The Loire River, which flows about 10 kilometers south of Angers, has shaped much of the region's topography. Its wide, flat floodplain has created a broad valley that stretches east to west across the area. This valley is dotted with small towns, farmland, and the famous Loire Valley châteaux.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would likely be found to the south and southwest of Angers. These regions tend to have flatter terrain, which is ideal for solar farms as it reduces construction costs and maximizes sun exposure. The agricultural lands in this direction, particularly those with minimal tree cover, would be prime candidates for solar development.
Additionally, some of the gently sloping hillsides to the north and east of Angers could also be suitable for solar PV installations, especially those facing south. These areas might offer good sun exposure while requiring minimal land preparation. However, care would need to be taken to balance solar development with the region's important agricultural and viticultural activities.
It's worth noting that any large-scale solar project would need to consider not just topography, but also factors such as proximity to electrical infrastructure, local zoning laws, and environmental impact assessments. The Loire Valley's status as a UNESCO World Heritage site may also influence the feasibility and locations of large solar installations in the region.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 30th of July 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.
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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.
