Solar PV Analysis of Blandy, France
The location of Blandy, France, situated at latitude 48.5705 and longitude 2.7804, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This northern temperate zone location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which impact the overall efficiency of solar installations.
Seasonal Solar Production
Solar energy generation in Blandy follows a predictable pattern aligned with the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 5.56 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring closely follows with 4.97 kWh/day, making these two seasons ideal for solar energy production.
However, the colder months see a substantial drop in energy generation. Autumn yields a moderate 2.89 kWh/day, while winter experiences a significant dip to just 1.34 kWh/day per kW installed. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of relying solely on solar power in this location year-round.
Optimizing Solar Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Blandy, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 42 degrees facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions, ensuring the best possible energy capture throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Blandy doesn't face extreme environmental challenges, there are some factors that could impact solar production:
- Cloud cover: The region can experience overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, reducing solar efficiency.
- Snow accumulation: Winter snowfall, though not typically heavy, can temporarily reduce panel output if not promptly removed.
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding and investing in regular maintenance to keep panels clean and free from debris. Additionally, using high-efficiency panels and potentially incorporating energy storage solutions can help offset the reduced winter production.
In conclusion, while Blandy's location is not ideal for year-round solar production, careful planning and installation can still yield significant energy benefits, particularly during the spring and summer months.
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 Blandy
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.5705, Longitude: 2.7804 (Blandy, 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 Blandy, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Blandy, France (Lat/Long 48.5705, 2.7804) 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 Blandy, 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 Blandy, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32° South in Summer | 52° South in Autumn | 62° South in Winter | 41° 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 Blandy, 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 Blandy, 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 Blandy, France
The area around Blandy, France, located at coordinates 48.5705 latitude and 2.7804 longitude, is characterized by gently rolling countryside typical of the Île-de-France region. This part of north-central France features a mix of agricultural land, small forests, and scattered settlements.
The topography in this area is generally flat to mildly undulating, with occasional low hills and shallow valleys. The elevation changes are gradual, rarely exceeding 100 meters in difference between the highest and lowest points in the immediate vicinity. This landscape has been shaped over millennia by the Seine and its tributaries, resulting in a mostly open terrain with good drainage.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the surrounding agricultural lands present the most promising opportunities. These open fields, often used for crops like wheat and rapeseed, offer large, unobstructed spaces that could potentially be repurposed or shared for solar energy production.
The ideal locations for solar PV in this region would be gently south-facing slopes, as these would receive the most direct sunlight throughout the day. Areas to the south and southeast of Blandy, where the terrain is slightly more elevated and open, might be particularly suitable. However, it's important to note that the relatively flat nature of the landscape means that most open areas could be viable for solar installations with proper planning.
When considering large-scale solar PV projects in this area, it would be crucial to balance energy production needs with the preservation of agricultural land and the region's cultural heritage, as the countryside around Blandy is dotted with historic sites and picturesque villages. Additionally, proximity to existing electrical infrastructure and the capacity of the local grid to accommodate new energy inputs would be important factors in determining the most suitable locations for solar farms.
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: Thursday 3rd of October 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.
