Solar PV Analysis of Bourges, France
The location at Bourges, France is decent for year-round energy generation via solar PV systems, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity a solar panel can generate depends on the amount of sunlight it receives, which varies throughout the year.
In summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can produce about 5.66 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. This decreases to 2.98 kWh/day in autumn and even further to 1.4 kWh/day in winter due to shorter days and less intense sunlight during these seasons. However, production increases again in spring with an output of around 4.98 kWh/day per kW.
So if you're planning to install solar panels in Bourges and want maximum power production all-year-round, the best times would be during spring and summer when sunlight is plentiful.
For optimal performance from your panels throughout the year, they should be tilted at an angle facing south - specifically a tilt angle of 40 degrees South is recommended for this location as it maximises total yearly power production.
However, there are some factors that could affect your solar system’s performance at this location:
1) Weather conditions: Cloudy or overcast skies will limit how much light reaches your panels.
2) Seasonal changes: As mentioned above, shorter daylight hours during autumn/winter can reduce output.
3) Shade: Buildings or trees nearby may cast shadows on your panels reducing their effectiveness.
To overcome these challenges:
a) Install additional panels: More panels mean more chances to capture sunlight even on cloudy days.
b) Use tracking systems: These allow your panels to follow the sun's path across the sky maximizing exposure.
c) Keep them clean & clear from obstructions like snow or leaves which may block light reaching them.
Remember though that while these measures can help improve efficiency they also add cost so should be weighed against potential benefits before proceeding with installation.
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 Bourges
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.0803, Longitude: 2.4 (Bourges, 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 Bourges, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bourges, France (Lat/Long 47.0803, 2.4) 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 Bourges, 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 Bourges, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 61° South in Winter | 39° 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 Bourges, 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 Bourges, 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 Bourges, France
Bourges is located in the center of France, in the historical province of Berry. The topography around Bourges is relatively flat with gentle rolling hills. It's part of a larger region known as Centre-Val de Loire which is characterized by its fertile plains and river valleys.
The climate in Bourges tends to be temperate with moderate rainfall throughout the year. This means that while there are certainly sunnier places in France, such as Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Bourges still receives an adequate amount of sunlight for solar PV.
As for specific areas suited to large-scale solar PV near Bourges, open and flat areas would be ideal due to ease of installation and maintenance. Agricultural lands could potentially be suitable if dual-use systems are implemented (agrivoltaics), where farming or grazing continues underneath or between solar panels.
However, it's important to note that suitability also depends on other factors like local regulations, proximity to power grids for easy energy transmission and potential environmental impacts. Therefore a thorough feasibility study would need to be conducted before deciding on a location for large-scale solar PV installations.
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 20th of June 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.
