Autun, France is a moderately suitable location for year-round solar PV energy generation, though it experiences significant seasonal variation typical of Northern Temperate Zone locations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at Autun varies considerably throughout the year. Summer provides the highest production at 5.96 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it the peak season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best period with 5.14 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly comparable performance to summer months. Autumn sees a notable decline to 3.04 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 1.48 kWh per day per kW. This represents a four-fold difference between peak summer and winter production, highlighting the importance of seasonal planning for solar installations.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at this location, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 40 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles throughout the year and weighting them according to photovoltaic potential using solar irradiance data.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in the Autun region can impact solar panel performance:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can block panels and reduce output
• Frequent cloud cover and fog, common in this temperate climate, reduces solar irradiance
• Dust and pollen buildup, particularly during spring months
• Potential for ice formation on panels during cold periods

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies can be employed: Installing panels with adequate tilt helps snow slide off naturally rather than accumulating. Regular cleaning schedules, particularly after pollen season and during dusty periods, maintain optimal light transmission. Ensuring proper ventilation around panels prevents ice buildup and allows for better heat dissipation. Choosing high-quality panels with anti-reflective coatings can improve performance during cloudy conditions. Additionally, installing a monitoring system helps identify when cleaning or maintenance is needed to restore peak performance. Despite the seasonal variations and local challenges, Autun's location provides reasonable solar potential, particularly during the warmer months when energy demand for cooling may be higher.

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 Autun

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.9497, Longitude: 4.3091 (Autun, 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 40° South in Autun, France

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Autun, France (Lat/Long 46.9497, 4.3091) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 40° 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 Autun, 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 Autun, France. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 40° 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	50° South in Autumn	60° South in Winter	39° 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 Autun, 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 Autun, France.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Autun, France

Topographical Features Around Autun

Autun sits in the heart of Burgundy within the Saône-et-Loire department, positioned in a landscape characterized by rolling hills and gentle valleys. The town itself rests at approximately 300 meters above sea level, nestled within the Morvan Regional Natural Park's eastern foothills. This region represents a transitional zone between the higher elevations of the Morvan massif to the west and the flatter agricultural plains that extend eastward toward the Saône River valley.

The surrounding terrain displays the classic undulating topography typical of Burgundy's wine-growing regions. Ancient granite and metamorphic rock formations from the Hercynian orogeny create a foundation of weathered hills that rarely exceed 500 meters in elevation within the immediate vicinity of Autun. These geological features have been sculpted over millennia by erosion, resulting in rounded summits and broad, shallow valleys that drain primarily toward the Arroux River, which flows northward through the area.

The landscape immediately surrounding Autun presents a mosaic of agricultural fields, scattered woodlands, and pastoral meadows. The terrain slopes generally from southwest to northeast, following the natural drainage patterns established by local waterways. Small streams and seasonal watercourses create minor valleys that add subtle complexity to the otherwise gently rolling topography.

Solar Development Potential in the Region

The most promising areas for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations lie on the south and southeast-facing slopes that characterize much of the terrain around Autun. These naturally oriented surfaces provide optimal exposure to solar radiation throughout the day while maintaining relatively gentle gradients that facilitate construction and maintenance access.

The broad plateaus and ridge tops scattered throughout the region offer particularly attractive sites for solar development. These elevated areas typically experience fewer issues with shading from surrounding vegetation or structures, while their relatively flat surfaces minimize the need for extensive grading or terracing. The agricultural fields on these higher elevations, particularly those with southern exposures, represent prime candidates for solar farm development.

Areas to the east and southeast of Autun, where the terrain begins its gradual descent toward the Saône valley, present especially favorable conditions. This zone combines the advantages of appropriate slope orientation with proximity to existing electrical infrastructure that serves the more densely populated areas along the valley floor. The open agricultural landscape in this direction also reduces potential conflicts with forested areas that might require clearing.

The rolling hills extending northward from Autun toward Saulieu offer additional opportunities, particularly on properties where south-facing slopes coincide with fields currently used for less intensive agricultural purposes. These locations benefit from the region's relatively clear viewsheds and minimal industrial development that might create shading or access complications.

Less suitable areas include the steeper western slopes that face toward the higher elevations of the Morvan, the heavily forested sections that would require significant clearing, and the narrow valley bottoms where morning and evening shadows from surrounding hills could impact performance. The immediate vicinity of historical sites around Autun itself would also likely face regulatory restrictions that could complicate large-scale solar development.

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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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.