Solar PV Analysis of Forbach, France
The location at Forbach, Grand Est, France is decent for generating energy via solar PV year-round, but it's not the most ideal. The amount of energy that can be generated varies greatly depending on the season.
In summer, you can expect to generate about 5.33kWh per day for each kW of installed solar, which is pretty good. Spring isn't far behind with an expected 4.63kWh/day per kW of installed solar.
However, in autumn and winter the energy generation drops significantly to 2.60kWh/day and 1.22kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar.
So while you can certainly generate some power all year round, you'll get much more in spring and summer than in autumn and winter.
If you're installing a fixed panel system at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 42 degrees South will give you the best overall production throughout the year.
As for local factors that could affect your solar production - Forbach is located near hilly areas which could potentially cast shadows over your panels if they're not properly located or angled; so careful planning would be required to avoid this issue before installation begins.
Weather-wise, Forbach tends to have cloudy days especially in autumn and winter which could reduce sunlight exposure hence less power generation during these seasons; but there's not much one can do about that except perhaps invest in more efficient panels that perform better under lower light conditions.
Lastly on environmental factors - snowfall during winter might cover up your panels reducing their efficiency unless they are cleared regularly; so setting up an easy method for clearing snow off your panels would be beneficial if installing a system here.
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 Forbach
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 49.189, Longitude: 6.8883 (Forbach, 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 Forbach, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Forbach, France (Lat/Long 49.189, 6.8883) 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 Forbach, 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 Forbach, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33° 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 Forbach, 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 Forbach, 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 Forbach, France
Forbach is located in the northeastern part of France, near the border with Germany. The terrain in and around Forbach can be described as a mix of flat plains and gently rolling hills. The city is situated in the Saar coal basin, which means that it's surrounded by forests and farmland.
The topography doesn't have significant high mountains or deep valleys, which makes it suitable for solar PV installations to some extent. However, other factors like sunlight hours and climate also play a crucial role in determining the suitability of an area for solar energy generation.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, flat open spaces such as agricultural lands or unused industrial lands could potentially be used. It would also be beneficial if these areas are closer to existing power grids for easy transmission of generated electricity.
One should note though that such projects should take into account potential environmental impacts and local regulations regarding land use. Also, detailed feasibility studies including sun irradiance levels should be conducted before deciding on large-scale solar PV installations.
Areas like Metz (located southeast) or Saarbrücken (located northeast) can also potentially host large scale Solar PV given their relatively flat terrains but again subject to detailed feasibility studies.
Keep in mind that northeastern France does not receive as much sunlight throughout the year compared to southern parts of France due to its geographical location.
Therefore while topographically feasible, from a sunlight availability perspective southern regions might provide better efficiency for Solar PV installations.
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: Saturday 17th of February 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.
