Combourg, Brittany, France, situated at latitude 48.4073 and longitude -1.747, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential, which impacts the effectiveness of photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Combourg fluctuates considerably across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.47 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, yielding 5.15 kWh/day. However, autumn sees a substantial drop to 2.84 kWh/day, while winter performance plummets to a mere 1.31 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Combourg is most suitable for solar energy generation during the warmer months, particularly from late spring through early autumn. During this period, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Combourg, Brittany, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 41 degrees facing south. This orientation helps optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Combourg's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent cloud cover, especially during autumn and winter, which can reduce solar efficiency.
• Precipitation: Rainfall is common throughout the year, potentially affecting panel cleanliness and performance.

To mitigate these issues, installing self-cleaning panels or implementing regular maintenance schedules can help maintain optimal performance. Additionally, using high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in diffuse light conditions can help maximize energy production during cloudy periods.

In conclusion, while Combourg's solar potential is not ideal year-round, proper system design and maintenance can still make solar PV a viable energy option, particularly during the more productive months of the year.

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 Combourg

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.4073, Longitude: -1.747 (Combourg, 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 Combourg, France

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Combourg, France (Lat/Long 48.4073, -1.747) 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 Combourg, 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 Combourg, 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	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 Combourg, 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 Combourg, 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 Combourg, France

The area surrounding Combourg, France, located at approximately 48.4073°N latitude and -1.747°E longitude, is characterized by a gently rolling landscape typical of the Brittany region. This picturesque countryside features a mix of agricultural fields, small woodlands, and scattered rural settlements. The topography around Combourg is generally low-lying, with subtle variations in elevation. The terrain consists of modest hills and shallow valleys, creating a patchwork of open spaces and tree-lined hedgerows. The town itself is situated on a slight rise, with the iconic Château de Combourg perched atop a small hill overlooking the surrounding area. To the north and east of Combourg, the land gradually slopes towards the Couesnon River valley. This area is predominantly rural, with a mix of pastures and crop fields interspersed with small clusters of trees and hedgerows. The landscape becomes slightly more undulating as it approaches the river, with some steeper banks along its course. South and west of Combourg, the terrain remains relatively flat, with occasional gentle hills breaking up the horizon. This area is characterized by a mosaic of agricultural land, including both arable fields and grazing pastures for livestock. Small pockets of woodland dot the landscape, providing habitat for local wildlife and adding to the scenic beauty of the region.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations for solar farms would be relatively flat, open areas with good exposure to sunlight and minimal shading from trees or buildings. The agricultural lands to the south and southwest of Combourg present the most promising opportunities for solar PV development. These areas offer expansive, open fields with fewer obstructions to sunlight. The gently rolling terrain in this direction provides some natural elevation changes that could be advantageous for optimizing solar panel placement and orientation. Another potential area for solar PV installation lies to the northeast of Combourg, where there are larger stretches of open farmland. These areas, while still featuring some hedgerows and small wooded sections, offer sufficient space for substantial solar arrays. The slightly elevated terrain in this direction could also provide favorable conditions for maximizing solar exposure. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV projects would need to balance energy production goals with the preservation of the region's agricultural heritage and scenic beauty. Careful site selection and integration with existing land uses would be crucial to ensure that solar developments harmonize with the local landscape and community needs.

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.