Solar PV Analysis of Belfort, France
The location at Belfort, France can produce a decent amount of energy from solar PV panels throughout the year. However, the effectiveness varies with the seasons.
During summer and spring, you can expect to generate a good amount of electricity - 5.74kWh/day and 4.89kWh/day per kW of installed solar respectively. These are ideal times for generating solar power due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
In autumn, the output drops to an average 3.02kWh/day per kW because days are shorter and sunlight less intense than in summer or spring.
Winter is not very ideal as it produces only about 1.45 kWh/day per kW due to short daylight hours and often cloudy weather that blocks sunlight.
For optimal performance of your solar PV system in this region, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 41 degrees facing southward so that they get maximum exposure to sun rays all year round.
As for environmental factors affecting solar production in Belfort; frequent cloudy or foggy weather especially during winter could impede sunlight reaching your panels hence reducing their efficiency significantly. Snowfall could also cover up your panels blocking out light completely until cleared off.
To mitigate these challenges; ensure regular cleaning & maintenance of your panel surfaces particularly during winter months when snowfall is expected – this helps keep them clear for maximum absorption whenever there's sunshine available however brief it might be on some days.
Also consider installing tracking systems which adjust panel angles automatically following sun's position across sky thus ensuring maximum exposure even on less sunny days like during autumn or winter months where every bit counts towards overall annual yield from your system.
Lastly but importantly remember that while these measures may help increase production they also add costs both upfront (for installation) & ongoing (maintenance) therefore always weigh benefits against costs before deciding what best suits your specific situation & budget constraints
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 Belfort
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.643, Longitude: 6.8557 (Belfort, 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 Belfort, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Belfort, France (Lat/Long 47.643, 6.8557) 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 Belfort, 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 Belfort, 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 Belfort, 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 Belfort, 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 Belfort, France
Belfort, France is located in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region near the Vosges Mountains. The topography of this area is characterized by a mix of flat lands and hilly regions with some mountainous areas. The city itself is situated on relatively flat terrain, while to the west and south are more elevated terrains.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are most suitable as they require less work for installation and maintenance. Therefore, areas around Belfort that would be most suited for such installations would likely be towards the east or within the city itself where terrain is flatter.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar PV isn't just determined by topography alone; factors like local climate (amount of sunlight), land usage restrictions, proximity to power grids etc., should also be considered. In terms of sunlight exposure, Belfort has moderate levels which makes it a reasonable location for solar energy production.
Finally, an in-depth feasibility study including all these factors would provide a more accurate assessment on where exactly large-scale solar PV could be installed near Belfort.
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: Wednesday 29th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
