Figeac, Occitanie, France presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar PV energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of its Northern Temperate Zone position at latitude 44.6029, longitude 2.0317.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at Figeac shows pronounced seasonal differences. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 6.33 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the peak generation period. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.31 kWh per day per kW, offering excellent energy production as daylight hours increase and solar angles improve. Autumn production drops to 3.35 kWh per day per kW, representing a moderate generation period as solar angles decline. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 1.86 kWh per day per kW, reflecting the typical limitations of northern temperate locations during colder months.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For fixed panel installations at Figeac, Occitanie, the ideal tilt angle is 39 degrees facing south to maximize total year-round solar production. This angle balances the varying solar elevations throughout the seasons to optimize overall annual energy capture.

Local Environmental Factors

Several environmental and weather factors in the Figeac region can impact solar energy production:

• Frequent cloud cover and overcast conditions, particularly during autumn and winter months, which can significantly reduce solar irradiance
• Morning fog and mist common in the Lot valley region where Figeac is situated
• Dust and pollen accumulation on panels, especially during spring and summer months
• Potential snow accumulation during winter periods

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective: Regular cleaning schedules become essential, particularly during pollen season and after dust storms. Installing panels with adequate spacing allows for proper air circulation and easier maintenance access. Choosing panel mounting systems that allow for steeper angles can help with natural snow shedding during winter months. Anti-reflective coatings on solar panels can help maintain efficiency during periods of reduced light conditions. Proper drainage around installation sites prevents water pooling that could create humidity issues affecting panel performance. Installing monitoring systems enables quick identification of production drops due to environmental factors, allowing for prompt corrective action. The seasonal nature of solar production at Figeac makes it particularly suitable for spring and summer energy generation, while winter months will require supplementary energy sources or battery storage systems to maintain consistent power supply.

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 Figeac

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.6029, Longitude: 2.0317 (Figeac, 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 Figeac, France

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Figeac, France (Lat/Long 44.6029, 2.0317) 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 Figeac, 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 Figeac, 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	48° South in Autumn	59° South in Winter	37° 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 Figeac, 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 Figeac, 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 Figeac, France

Topographical Features of Figeac and Surrounding Region

Figeac sits in the Lot department of southwestern France, positioned within the broader Midi-Pyrénées region at an elevation of approximately 214 meters above sea level. The town nestles in a valley carved by the Célé River, which flows westward through the landscape before joining the larger Lot River system. This river valley creates a relatively flat corridor surrounded by the characteristic limestone plateaus and gentle hills of the Quercy region.

The immediate topography around Figeac features undulating terrain typical of the Massif Central's southwestern edge. Rolling hills and small valleys dominate the landscape, with elevations gradually rising from the river valley floors to modest heights of 300-500 meters on the surrounding plateaus. These limestone causses, as they are known locally, create broad, relatively flat expanses interrupted by occasional deeper valleys and gorges.

The geology consists primarily of Jurassic limestone formations, which have been carved by centuries of water erosion to create the region's distinctive karst landscape. This includes underground cave systems, occasional sinkholes, and the dry stone walls that characterize much of the Quercy countryside. The terrain is generally stable, with good drainage properties due to the porous limestone bedrock.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The limestone plateaus extending north and east of Figeac present the most promising locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These elevated causses offer several key advantages: they provide extensive flat to gently sloping terrain that requires minimal grading, they typically have sparse vegetation consisting mainly of grassland and scattered oak woodlands, and they benefit from excellent southern exposure with minimal shading from surrounding topography.

The Causse de Gramat, located northeast of Figeac, represents particularly suitable terrain for solar development. This plateau extends across thousands of hectares of relatively uniform landscape with gentle gradients that rarely exceed 5-10 degrees. The sparse population density and limited agricultural productivity of much of this area could make land acquisition more feasible for large installations.

Areas southwest of Figeac, toward the Lot River valley, also offer potential sites on the broader terraces and plateaus that step down from the higher causses. These locations combine reasonable elevation with good access to existing electrical infrastructure, as the main transmission lines tend to follow the river valleys where the larger towns are located.

The terrain immediately surrounding Figeac itself, while more developed, includes several elevated areas with southern-facing slopes that could accommodate smaller utility-scale installations. These locations benefit from proximity to existing electrical infrastructure and road networks, potentially reducing connection and maintenance costs.

When evaluating specific sites, the most suitable areas would be those elevated limestone plateaus with minimal tree coverage, gentle south-facing slopes, and reasonable access to roads and electrical infrastructure. The stable limestone geology provides excellent foundation conditions, while the elevated positions help maximize solar exposure throughout the day.

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.