Solar PV Analysis of Breuillet, France
Breuillet, France, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a varied landscape for solar energy production throughout the year. This coastal town experiences significant fluctuations in solar potential across seasons, presenting both opportunities and challenges for photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy generation in Breuillet peaks during the summer months, with an impressive daily output of 6.25 kWh per kW of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind, yielding 5.56 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decline to 3.25 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 1.69 kWh/day.
These figures highlight the substantial variance between seasons, with summer producing nearly four times the energy of winter. This pattern suggests that Breuillet is most suitable for solar energy generation from late spring through early autumn.
Optimal Panel Configuration
To maximize year-round solar production in Breuillet, fixed panels should be tilted at a 39-degree angle facing south. This orientation helps balance energy capture across seasons, though it's worth noting that adjustable panels could potentially yield even higher outputs by adapting to seasonal sun angles.
Environmental Considerations
Breuillet's coastal location introduces some environmental factors that could impact solar production. Salt air and potential sea spray can accelerate corrosion of solar equipment, potentially reducing efficiency over time. To mitigate this, installers should use marine-grade materials and apply protective coatings to panels and mounting hardware.
Additionally, the area may experience occasional Atlantic storms, which could bring strong winds and heavy rainfall. Robust mounting systems and high-quality, weather-resistant panels are essential to withstand these conditions and maintain optimal performance.
Conclusion
While Breuillet's location presents some challenges, particularly during winter months, it remains a viable option for solar PV installations. With proper planning, appropriate equipment selection, and regular maintenance, solar energy systems in this French coastal town can provide significant power generation, especially during the longer, sunnier days of spring and summer.
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 Breuillet
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 45.6897, Longitude: -1.0479 (Breuillet, 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 39° South in Breuillet, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Breuillet, France (Lat/Long 45.6897, -1.0479) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Breuillet, 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 Breuillet, France. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29° South in Summer | 49° 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 Breuillet, 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 Breuillet, 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 Breuillet, France
The area around Breuillet, France, located at coordinates 45.6897°N, 1.0479°W, is characterized by a relatively flat coastal landscape. This region is part of the Charente-Maritime department in southwestern France, situated near the Atlantic coast.
The topography of Breuillet and its surroundings is primarily composed of low-lying plains and gentle hills. The terrain is mostly flat with some subtle undulations, typical of the coastal areas in this part of France. The elevation gradually increases as you move inland from the coast, but the changes in altitude are generally modest.
To the west of Breuillet, you'll find the coastal wetlands and marshes of the Seudre estuary, which eventually open up to the Atlantic Ocean. These low-lying areas are characterized by a network of small waterways, tidal flats, and salt marshes. Moving eastward, the landscape transitions into agricultural fields, small woodlands, and scattered settlements.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would likely be found slightly inland from Breuillet. The ideal locations would be open, flat agricultural lands or gently sloping fields that receive ample sunlight throughout the day. These areas should be away from the immediate coast to avoid potential issues with salt spray and coastal weather patterns that might affect solar panel efficiency.
Specifically, the rural areas to the east and southeast of Breuillet could be potential candidates for solar PV projects. These regions typically have more expansive, uninterrupted stretches of land that could accommodate large solar arrays. Additionally, areas near existing electrical infrastructure would be advantageous for connecting the solar installations to the power grid.
It's important to note that while the topography is generally favorable for solar PV in this region, any large-scale project would need to consider other factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental impact assessments, and the preservation of agricultural land. The relatively flat terrain and good sun exposure in this part of France make it a potentially attractive area for solar energy development, provided all necessary approvals and considerations are addressed.
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: Friday 13th of September 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.
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