Fontenay-le-Fleury, France, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar output varies significantly across seasons, with peak production during summer months and a notable decline in winter.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer offers the most favorable conditions for solar energy production, with an average daily output of 5.51 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.91 kWh/day. Autumn sees a considerable decrease to 2.82 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 1.29 kWh/day.

The substantial variation between seasons indicates that solar energy production in Fontenay-le-Fleury is most efficient from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies contribute to higher energy yields.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For fixed panel installations in this location, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 42 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun paths.

Environmental Considerations

While Fontenay-le-Fleury doesn't face extreme environmental challenges for solar production, there are some factors to consider:

• Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent cloudy days, especially in autumn and winter, which can reduce solar efficiency.
• Precipitation: Rainfall and occasional snow in winter can temporarily decrease panel output.

To mitigate these factors, consider installing panels with anti-soiling coatings to reduce the impact of rain and dust. Additionally, implementing a regular cleaning schedule can help maintain optimal performance, particularly during periods of lower natural precipitation.

In conclusion, while Fontenay-le-Fleury's location is not ideal for year-round solar production, it still offers significant potential, especially during the warmer months. With proper panel positioning and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a valuable contribution to the area's energy mix.

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 Fontenay-le-Fleury

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.8118, Longitude: 2.0498 (Fontenay-le-Fleury, 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 Fontenay-le-Fleury, France

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fontenay-le-Fleury, France (Lat/Long 48.8118, 2.0498) 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 Fontenay-le-Fleury, 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 Fontenay-le-Fleury, 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 Fontenay-le-Fleury, 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 Fontenay-le-Fleury, 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 Fontenay-le-Fleury, France

The area surrounding Fontenay-le-Fleury, France, is characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the Île-de-France region. Located approximately 25 kilometers southwest of Paris, this suburban commune sits on a plateau that gradually slopes towards the Seine River to the east. The landscape is a mix of urban development, agricultural fields, and patches of forest. To the north and west of Fontenay-le-Fleury, the land remains relatively flat, with subtle undulations. This area is part of the Versailles Plain, known for its fertile soil and historical importance in agriculture. The terrain becomes slightly more varied to the south, where small valleys and hills begin to emerge, creating a more diverse topography.

Potential for Solar PV Installation

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The gently sloping terrain to the south of Fontenay-le-Fleury offers promising potential for solar energy development. These areas receive good sun exposure throughout the day and the gradual incline can be advantageous for positioning solar panels to maximize sunlight capture. Agricultural lands to the west and northwest of Fontenay-le-Fleury also present opportunities for solar PV development. These open fields provide ample space for large-scale installations and generally have minimal shading from trees or buildings. However, it's important to balance solar energy development with the preservation of productive farmland. Some of the less densely forested areas to the southeast, where the terrain begins to undulate more, could also be suitable for solar PV projects. These locations might offer a good compromise between available space and minimal impact on prime agricultural land. It's worth noting that while the topography around Fontenay-le-Fleury is generally favorable for solar PV, other factors such as local zoning regulations, grid connection availability, and environmental considerations would need to be carefully evaluated before implementing any large-scale solar projects in the region.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.