Solar PV Analysis of Bourganeuf, France
The location at Bourganeuf, France is relatively favorable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) panels year-round, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity that can be produced varies greatly depending on the season.
In simple terms, solar PV panels work by converting sunlight into electricity. The more sunlight they receive, the more electricity they produce. At Bourganeuf, during the summer months when days are long and sunny, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can generate around 6.09 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day. This drops significantly in autumn to about 3.19 kWh/day per kW due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sun.
Winter sees further reduction in production with only about 1.72 kWh/day per kW being generated because of even shorter days and lower sun intensity typical for this season in Northern Temperate Zone locations like Bourganeuf.
However, spring brings a significant improvement with approximately 5.32 kWh/day per kW as daylight hours increase and the intensity of sunshine improves.
It's also worth noting that installing fixed panel systems at an angle tilted towards South will maximize their exposure to sunlight throughout the year improving overall production from your solar PV system at this location - ideally at around a tilt angle of 40 degrees southwards.
There may be some local factors that could affect solar production in Bourganeuf such as weather conditions - particularly cloud cover or fog which could reduce sunlight reaching your panels; trees or buildings casting shadows over your panels; dust or snow accumulation on panel surfaces reducing their effectiveness etc., which you would need to consider when planning for installation here.
To mitigate these potential issues:
- Regular cleaning/maintenance schedule should be set up to keep panel surfaces free from dust/snow.
- Try avoiding shaded areas where possible during installation.
- Weather forecasts/patterns could be monitored closely so that you can plan for periods of reduced solar production and adjust your energy usage accordingly.
Remember, the actual output from a solar PV system will depend on several factors including the quality of the panels, their installation, and ongoing maintenance.
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 Bourganeuf
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 45.9554, Longitude: 1.7589 (Bourganeuf, 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 Bourganeuf, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bourganeuf, France (Lat/Long 45.9554, 1.7589) 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 Bourganeuf, 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 Bourganeuf, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 60° South in Winter | 38° 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 Bourganeuf, 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 Bourganeuf, 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 Bourganeuf, France
Bourganeuf is located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. The topography around Bourganeuf is characterized by rolling hills and valleys, with a mix of farmland, forests, and rural landscapes.
In terms of solar PV potential, areas with flat or gently sloping terrain would be most suitable for large-scale installations as they provide maximum exposure to sunlight and are easier for installation. In the vicinity of Bourganeuf, these could potentially include some farmlands or open fields.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar PV also depends on other factors such as local climate conditions (amount of annual sunshine), land use restrictions or regulations, proximity to power grids for energy transmission etc.
A detailed site-specific assessment would be necessary to identify the most suited locations for large-scale solar PV around Bourganeuf. This could involve using GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis that considers various environmental and socio-economic factors together with topographical data.
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 9th of May 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.
