Solar PV Analysis of Beauvais, France
Beauvais, France, located at latitude 49.4349 and longitude 2.0864, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which impacts the overall efficiency of solar installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy output in Beauvais varies considerably across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.41 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.00 kWh/day. However, there's a stark contrast in the colder months, with autumn producing 2.77 kWh/day and winter dropping to a mere 1.26 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Beauvais is most suitable for solar energy generation during the warmer months, particularly from late spring through early autumn. During this period, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Beauvais, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 42 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several environmental and weather factors in Beauvais can impact solar energy production:
- Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent cloudy days, especially in winter, which can significantly reduce solar output.
- Snow and frost: Winter conditions may lead to snow accumulation or frost on panels, temporarily decreasing efficiency.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off and use self-cleaning, hydrophobic panel coatings. Additionally, regular maintenance and cleaning, especially during winter months, can help maintain optimal performance.
While Beauvais may not be ideal for year-round solar energy production due to its northern latitude and seasonal variations, proper installation techniques and maintenance can still make solar PV a viable renewable energy option for this location, particularly during the more productive months of the year.
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 Beauvais
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 49.4349, Longitude: 2.0864 (Beauvais, 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 42° South in Beauvais, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Beauvais, France (Lat/Long 49.4349, 2.0864) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 42° 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 Beauvais, 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 Beauvais, France. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 42° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33° South in Summer | 52° South in Autumn | 63° South in Winter | 42° 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 Beauvais, 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 Beauvais, 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 Beauvais, France
The area around Beauvais, France, is characterized by gently rolling hills and open plains typical of the Picardy region. The city itself sits in a shallow valley formed by the Thérain River, with the surrounding landscape gradually rising to form low hills and plateaus. The terrain is generally mild, with no dramatic changes in elevation or steep slopes.
To the north and east of Beauvais, you'll find mostly agricultural land with fields and pastures stretching across the countryside. The land here is relatively flat, with occasional gentle undulations. To the south and west, the terrain becomes slightly more varied, with some areas of woodland interspersed with farmland and small villages.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas would likely be found in the open agricultural lands to the north and east of Beauvais. These areas offer several advantages:
- Flat or gently sloping terrain, which is ideal for solar panel placement
- Minimal shading from trees or buildings
- Good access to existing infrastructure, such as roads and power grids
- Large, uninterrupted spaces that could accommodate extensive solar arrays
Specific locations that might be particularly well-suited for solar PV development include the areas around the villages of Troissereux, Milly-sur-Thérain, and Auneuil. These locations offer expansive, open fields with favorable topography for solar installations.
It's important to note that while the topography in these areas is suitable for solar PV, other factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental considerations, and grid connection capabilities would also need to be taken into account when planning any large-scale solar project. Additionally, the relatively northern latitude of Beauvais means that solar irradiance levels are lower than in southern France, which could impact the overall efficiency and output of solar installations in this 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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 3rd 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.
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.
