Solar PV Analysis of Chelles, France
The location at Chelles, France is somewhat suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, but it's not perfect. This is because the amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels changes with each season.
In simple terms, a kilowatt (kW) is a measure of power and kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a measure of energy. So if you have 1 kW of installed solar power, in summer you can expect to generate around 5.56 kWh per day; in autumn this drops to about 2.89 kWh/day; in winter it's even less at around 1.34 kWh/day; and in spring it rises again to approximately 4.97 kWh/day.
This means that the best times for generating solar energy at this location are during the sunnier seasons - summer and spring - while autumn and particularly winter will produce significantly less.
To get the most out of your solar panels year-round at this location, they should ideally be tilted towards south by about 42 degrees as this will allow them to catch more sunlight over the course of each day throughout all four seasons.
As for local factors that might affect solar production: weather conditions such as cloud cover or heavy snowfall could reduce output by blocking sunlight from reaching the panels; likewise tall buildings or trees casting shadows on your installation could also lower its efficiency.
To help prevent these issues affecting your energy production: consider installing your PV system somewhere clear of potential shade obstacles like buildings or trees; keep an eye on weather forecasts so you can plan ahead for periods with less sunshine or heavy snowfall which may require clearing off your panels manually; finally consider using tracking systems which automatically adjust panel angles following the sun’s path across sky maximising exposure time – although these do add extra cost onto installation price so weigh up benefits against potential savings first before deciding whether they’re worth investing into here specifically.
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 Chelles
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.8797, Longitude: 2.5943 (Chelles, 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 Chelles, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Chelles, France (Lat/Long 48.8797, 2.5943) 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 Chelles, 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 Chelles, 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 Chelles, 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 Chelles, 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 Chelles, France
Chelles, France is located in the Île-de-France region and it's characterized by a relatively flat topography. The area is predominantly urban with some green spaces, parks, and forests.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be open and flat areas that receive a significant amount of sunlight throughout the year. In Chelles, such locations might include rooftops of larger buildings (industrial or commercial), open fields or unused lands outside of the city center.
However, given that Chelles is quite urbanized, finding large enough open spaces within the city might be challenging. Therefore looking into nearby towns or rural areas could provide more opportunities for large scale solar projects.
Another potential option could be floating solar panels on bodies of water such as ponds or reservoirs if they exist in sufficient size. This type of installation has been successfully implemented in other parts of France.
Any project should also take into account local regulations regarding land use and environmental impact to ensure compliance.
Remember that site suitability also depends on factors beyond just physical geography like existing infrastructure (for power transmission), proximity to demand centers etc., which need to be considered while planning such projects.
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: Sunday 12th 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.
