Solar PV Analysis of Fontainebleau, France
The location at Fontainebleau, France is decent for generating energy via solar PV throughout the year, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar varies by season. In summer and spring, you can expect to generate quite a bit of power - 5.56kWh/day in summer and 4.97kWh/day in spring per kW of installed solar. During autumn and winter, however, the output drops significantly to 2.89kWh/day and 1.34kWh/day respectively.
So if you're planning on installing solar panels here, it's important to note that they'll be most effective during the sunnier parts of the year (spring and summer). If your energy needs are consistent all year round, you might need to find additional sources of power during autumn and winter or consider storing excess energy produced in the sunnier months.
Another thing worth noting is that for a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 41 degrees South will give you maximum total production from your solar PV system across all seasons.
As for environmental or weather factors that could affect your solar production - Fontainebleau does experience some cloudy days which could reduce sunlight exposure on your panels hence reducing their productivity especially during winter months when there is less sunlight available anyway due to shorter daylight hours. Also trees or buildings could potentially block sunlight if they are too close to where your panels are installed.
To overcome these issues:
- You may want to consider trimming any tall trees near where you plan on installing your panels.
- If possible choose an unobstructed site with no nearby buildings.
- Consider using a tracking system rather than fixed tilt so that the angle can be adjusted throughout the day/seasons maximizing exposure.
- Regular cleaning/maintenance would also help ensure maximum efficiency as dirt/grime/snow etc., could also reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels.
In summary, while Fontainebleau is not the perfect location for solar energy production due to its seasonal variations and potential obstructions, with careful planning and maintenance, it can still be a viable option.
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 Fontainebleau
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.4126, Longitude: 2.6949 (Fontainebleau, 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 Fontainebleau, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fontainebleau, France (Lat/Long 48.4126, 2.6949) 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 Fontainebleau, 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 Fontainebleau, 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 | 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 Fontainebleau, 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 Fontainebleau, 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 Fontainebleau, France
Fontainebleau is located in the Île-de-France region of north-central France. The area around Fontainebleau is mostly flat with gentle rolling hills. It's known for its large forest, the Forest of Fontainebleau, which covers about 280 square kilometers.
To the south and east of Fontainebleau are agricultural lands, while to the north and west you'll find more urbanized areas as you approach Paris.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are usually preferred due to ease of installation and maintenance. Therefore, the agricultural lands towards the south and east could potentially be suitable for such projects if they can be converted or dual-used for this purpose.
However, it is important to note that any such project would need to take into account a variety of factors beyond just topography - including local climate conditions (amount of sunlight), land use regulations, environmental impact considerations (especially given proximity to a major forest), grid connectivity issues among others.
Furthermore, considering France's commitment towards preserving its agricultural land and biodiversity it might be challenging to obtain permissions for converting these spaces into solar farms. Thus other alternatives like rooftop solar installations on industrial buildings in nearby urban areas might also need consideration.
Finally an actual feasibility study by experts would provide more accurate information based on all relevant parameters specific to this location.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 28th of March 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.
