Solar PV Analysis of Baillargues, France
Baillargues, Occitanie, France, situated at latitude 43.668 and longitude 4.0198, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Mediterranean town experiences varying levels of solar potential across the seasons, with peak production during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Production
Solar energy output in Baillargues fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.58 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 6.00 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 3.60 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.12 kWh/day.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the importance of properly sizing a solar PV system to meet year-round energy needs. While summer months provide abundant energy, winter months may require supplementary power sources or energy storage solutions to maintain consistent electricity supply.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Baillargues, Occitanie, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 37 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the sun's changing position in the sky across seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While Baillargues generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Dust and pollen: The Mediterranean climate can lead to dust accumulation on panels, potentially reducing efficiency. Regular cleaning can mitigate this issue.
- Occasional strong winds: The Mistral wind, common in southern France, may pose a risk to solar installations. Robust mounting systems and wind-resistant panel designs can help prevent damage.
To ensure optimal performance, solar installations in Baillargues should incorporate durable, high-quality components and be subject to regular maintenance. Additionally, implementing a monitoring system can help quickly identify and address any issues affecting energy production.
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 Baillargues
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.668, Longitude: 4.0198 (Baillargues, 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 Baillargues, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Baillargues, France (Lat/Long 43.668, 4.0198) 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 Baillargues, 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 Baillargues, 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 Baillargues, 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 Baillargues, 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 Baillargues, France
The area around Baillargues, France, is characterized by a relatively flat coastal plain with some gentle undulations. This region, known as the Languedoc, is part of the larger Mediterranean coastal plain that stretches along the southern coast of France. The terrain gradually rises as you move inland from Baillargues, with low hills and small plateaus becoming more prominent.
To the north and northwest of Baillargues, you'll find the beginning of the Garrigues region, which features more rugged terrain with limestone hills and scrubland. These areas are typically drier and have thinner soil cover. To the south and southeast, the landscape remains mostly flat as it approaches the Mediterranean Sea, with some wetlands and lagoons near the coast.
The climate in this region is Mediterranean, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters. This type of climate, combined with the topography, makes several nearby areas potentially suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar PV projects, the most suitable areas would likely be found in the flatter regions to the south and east of Baillargues. These areas offer several advantages:
- They have minimal shading from hills or mountains
- The land is generally less valuable for agriculture due to its proximity to the coast
- There's good access to existing infrastructure and the power grid
Additionally, some of the gently sloping areas to the north and northwest could also be considered, particularly those that face south. These locations might offer a good balance between available land and optimal sun exposure. However, care would need to be taken to avoid areas of significant ecological or agricultural importance.
It's worth noting that any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site-specific assessments, including studies of local regulations, grid capacity, and environmental impact. The general topography and climate of the region, however, do provide favorable conditions for solar energy 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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 11th of August 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.
