Solar PV Analysis of Auray, France
Auray, Brittany, France is in a decent location for year-round solar energy production, but it isn't perfect. In simple terms, the amount of electricity you can get from a solar panel depends on how much sunlight hits it. The more sunlight, the more power.
In summer and spring, Auray gets a good amount of sunlight - about 6.24 and 5.72 kilowatt-hours per day for every kilowatt of solar panels installed respectively. That's pretty good! However, in autumn and winter the numbers drop to 3.23 and 1.50 kWh/day/kW respectively because there's less sun during these seasons due to shorter days and lower sun angles.
The best time to generate solar power here would be during the longer daylight hours in spring and summer when there's plenty of sunshine.
Now let’s talk about how to set up your panels for maximum efficiency all year round: The ideal angle to tilt your panels at this location is 41 degrees facing south which helps capture as much sunlight as possible throughout different times of the year.
As far as local factors that could affect your solar production – yes, there are some things you need to consider:
1) Weather: Auray has temperate maritime climate which means lots of cloudy or rainy days especially in fall or winter months; these conditions reduce direct sunlight thus affecting energy output.
2) Environment: If there are buildings or trees blocking direct sun rays onto your panel then they will produce less electricity.
To overcome these challenges:
- For weather-related issues like cloud cover or rainfall; unfortunately not much can be done other than choosing high-quality panels which perform better under such conditions.
- To deal with potential obstructions (like trees), try positioning your installation where it will have clear access to sky throughout most part of day without being shaded by nearby structures or vegetation.
Remember that while these factors might reduce overall productivity somewhat; they don't make solar energy impractical in Auray. It just means you need to plan your installation carefully for best results.
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 Auray
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.6713, Longitude: -2.9892 (Auray, 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 Auray, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Auray, France (Lat/Long 47.6713, -2.9892) 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 Auray, 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 Auray, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32° 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 Auray, 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 Auray, 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 Auray, France
Auray is located in the Morbihan department of Brittany in Northwestern France. The topography around Auray is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly landscapes. It lies near the coast, with several rivers including the Auray River flowing through it.
The region has a temperate maritime climate which means it has mild winters and cool summers. However, this also means that it can be quite cloudy and rainy, which could impact solar energy production.
In terms of large-scale solar PV installations, flatter areas would generally be more suitable as they provide an unobstructed path for sunlight to reach the panels. Areas away from dense vegetation or tall buildings would also be preferable to avoid shading issues.
Considering these factors, potential suitable locations could include agricultural lands or other open spaces around Auray where there's less likelihood of obstructions blocking sunlight.
However, before proceeding with any large-scale solar project, detailed feasibility studies should be conducted to assess factors like local weather patterns (including hours of sunshine), land availability and suitability (including soil type), proximity to power grids for transmission purposes among others.
Also remember that even if Brittany isn't as sunny as southern regions in France like Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur or Occitanie - home to many French photovoltaic parks - , modern solar panels are becoming increasingly efficient at converting light into electricity even under less than ideal conditions such as partial shade or cloudy days.
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: Friday 5th 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.
