Carhaix-Plouguer, a town in Brittany, France, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.44 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, yielding 4.98 kWh/day. These seasons offer excellent conditions for solar energy production, with longer days and typically clearer skies.

However, the picture changes dramatically in autumn and winter. Autumn sees a substantial drop to 2.76 kWh/day, while winter production plummets to a mere 1.31 kWh/day. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of maintaining consistent solar energy output year-round in this location.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production, fixed panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 41 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to capture the most sunlight across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Brittany's climate poses some challenges for solar energy production. The region is known for its frequent cloud cover and rainfall, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency. Additionally, the area experiences relatively mild temperatures, which, while not extreme, can still affect panel performance.

To mitigate these factors, several preventative measures can be taken:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions
• Install a robust cleaning system to combat the effects of frequent rainfall and potential debris

In conclusion, while Carhaix-Plouguer's location is not ideal for year-round solar energy production, it still offers significant potential, especially during spring and summer. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a valuable contribution to the area's energy mix, despite the challenges posed by the local climate.

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 Carhaix-Plouguer

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.2791, Longitude: -3.5763 (Carhaix-Plouguer, 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 Carhaix-Plouguer, France

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Carhaix-Plouguer, France (Lat/Long 48.2791, -3.5763) 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 Carhaix-Plouguer, 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 Carhaix-Plouguer, 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
32° South in Summer	51° South in Autumn	62° 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 Carhaix-Plouguer, 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 Carhaix-Plouguer, France.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Carhaix-Plouguer, France

Carhaix-Plouguer, located in the heart of Brittany, France, is situated in a region characterized by gently rolling hills and expansive plateaus. The surrounding landscape is predominantly rural, with a mix of agricultural fields, pastures, and scattered woodlands. The town itself sits at an elevation of approximately 150 meters above sea level, with the terrain gradually rising towards the south and east. The area around Carhaix-Plouguer is part of the Armorican Massif, an ancient mountain range that has been eroded over millions of years. This geological history has resulted in a landscape of low, rounded hills interspersed with shallow valleys. The Aulne River and its tributaries have carved meandering paths through the countryside, creating a network of small waterways that add to the area's topographical diversity. To the north and west of Carhaix-Plouguer, the land becomes slightly flatter, with more extensive open areas suitable for agriculture. The southern and eastern regions, in contrast, feature more pronounced hills and forested areas, particularly as one approaches the Monts d'Arrée, a range of low mountains that form part of the regional natural park.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would be relatively flat, open areas with good sun exposure and minimal shading from surrounding terrain or vegetation. The plains to the north and west of Carhaix-Plouguer present the most promising opportunities for solar PV development. These areas offer larger, uninterrupted stretches of land with fewer topographical obstacles. The gently sloping terrain in these directions would allow for optimal panel orientation without requiring significant earthwork. Agricultural lands that are less productive or fallow fields could be particularly suitable for solar farms, as they already offer cleared, open spaces. However, it's important to balance energy production with agricultural needs, perhaps exploring the potential for agrivoltaic systems that combine solar power generation with crop cultivation or grazing. While the hillier regions to the south and east may seem less ideal due to their varied terrain, some south-facing slopes could actually provide excellent locations for solar panels. These natural inclines could potentially enhance energy capture by allowing panels to be installed at optimal angles without additional structural support. It's worth noting that while the topography around Carhaix-Plouguer offers several suitable areas for solar PV development, other factors such as grid connection availability, local zoning regulations, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when planning large-scale solar installations in the region.

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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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.