Solar PV Analysis of Elna, France
The location at Elna, Occitanie, France, is reasonably suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, the effectiveness of this type of energy generation fluctuates with the seasons.
In summer and spring, you can expect to generate a lot more electricity than in autumn or winter. Specifically, in summer you could produce about 6.63 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. In spring, this drops slightly to around 5.18 kWh/day per kW.
Autumn sees further reduction in potential output to approximately 3.46 kWh/day per kW. Winter has the lowest productivity out of all seasons with only about 2.25 kWh/day generated per kW.
Therefore it would be most ideal to generate solar at this location during the sunnier months of summer and spring when there's more sunlight available.
As for installation details specific to Elna's geographical position, tilting your solar panels at an angle of 37 degrees facing south would maximize their total yearly production from sunlight exposure.
However, there may be local factors that could affect your system’s performance such as weather conditions or environmental elements that might block sunlight like trees or buildings nearby.
For instance if Elna is prone to heavy snowfall during winter months which could cover up your panels reducing their efficiency significantly then it'd be important to regularly clean off any accumulated snow on them so they can continue absorbing sunlight effectively.
Also if there are tall structures casting shadows onto your panels especially during peak sun hours (around midday), consider repositioning them somewhere else where they can get unobstructed access to direct sunlight throughout most part of the day if possible.
Remember always consult with a professional installer who understands local conditions before setting up any kind of renewable energy system at home just so you're sure everything's done correctly maximizing its potential output while minimizing any possible risks involved.
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 Elna
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.6023, Longitude: 2.9732 (Elna, 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 37° South in Elna, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Elna, France (Lat/Long 42.6023, 2.9732) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Elna, 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 Elna, France. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° South in Summer | 47° South in Autumn | 57° South in Winter | 35° 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 Elna, 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 Elna, 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 Elna, France
Elna, France is located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France. The topography of this area is quite diverse, with a mix of coastal plains, rolling hills, and mountainous regions due to its proximity to the Pyrenees Mountains.
The region around Elna has a Mediterranean climate with high levels of sunshine throughout the year which makes it suitable for solar PV installations. However, the specific suitability for large-scale solar PV would depend on several factors including land availability and use, slope of land (flatter areas are typically more suitable), local regulations among others.
Generally speaking though:
1) Open flat areas or gently sloping lands such as agricultural fields or unused lands could be ideal for large scale ground-mounted solar PV systems.
2) Coastal plains near Elna could also be good candidates given their relatively flat terrain.
3) Rooftops in urban or suburban settings can also host smaller scale distributed solar PV systems.
It's important to note that any decision about installing large-scale solar should take into account potential environmental impacts and aim at minimizing them (for instance by avoiding ecologically sensitive areas). Detailed site-specific assessments would be needed before making any final decisions.
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 16th 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.
