Frangy, France presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar photovoltaic energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of its Northern Temperate Zone position.

Seasonal Solar Production Profile

The solar energy output at Frangy shows a pronounced seasonal pattern that reflects the region's temperate climate. Summer months deliver the highest production at 5.96 kWh per day per installed kilowatt, making this the peak generation period. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.14 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly comparable output to summer months. Autumn production drops considerably to 3.04 kWh per day per kW, representing roughly half the summer output. Winter presents the most challenging period for solar generation, producing only 1.48 kWh per day per kW - less than a quarter of summer production levels.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Frangy, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 39 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles throughout the year, determining optimal panel positioning for each day, and weighting these angles according to solar irradiance data to achieve the best annual average performance.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several local factors in the Frangy region can significantly impact solar panel performance and require careful consideration during installation:

• Alpine weather patterns: The proximity to the Alps brings increased cloud cover, fog, and precipitation that can reduce solar irradiance
• Snow accumulation: Winter snowfall can completely block panel surfaces, eliminating energy production until cleared
• Temperature fluctuations: Extreme temperature variations can affect panel efficiency and component longevity
• Humidity and condensation: The regional climate can create moisture issues that reduce panel transparency

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be implemented. Panels should be mounted with adequate spacing for air circulation to prevent overheating and reduce condensation buildup. The 39-degree tilt angle not only optimizes sun exposure but also helps snow slide off more easily. Installing panels with anti-reflective coatings can improve performance during overcast conditions common in this alpine-influenced climate. Regular maintenance access should be planned to allow for snow removal and cleaning of accumulated debris or condensation. Selecting high-quality panels rated for temperature extremes will ensure better performance during the significant seasonal temperature swings experienced in this region. Additionally, proper electrical components rated for moisture resistance will help maintain system reliability in the humid conditions that can occur near the Alps.

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 Frangy

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.015, Longitude: 5.9339 (Frangy, 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 Frangy, France

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Frangy, France (Lat/Long 46.015, 5.9339) 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 Frangy, 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 Frangy, 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
30° South in Summer	49° South in Autumn	59° South in Winter	38° 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 Frangy, 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 Frangy, 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 Frangy, France

Topography Around Frangy

Frangy sits in the Haute-Savoie department of southeastern France, positioned in a transitional zone between the Alpine foothills and the broader Rhône Valley. The town itself lies at a moderate elevation in a landscape characterized by rolling hills and gentle valleys that gradually rise toward the more dramatic Alpine peaks to the east and south.

The immediate area around Frangy features a mixed topography of agricultural valleys interspersed with forested hillsides and open meadows. The terrain slopes generally westward toward Lake Geneva, which lies approximately 15 kilometers to the northwest. To the east and southeast, the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous as it approaches the main Alpine chain, with elevations rising steadily from the valley floors.

The region benefits from a combination of relatively open terrain and protective mountain barriers that create favorable microclimatic conditions. The surrounding hills are typically covered with a mixture of deciduous and coniferous forests, while the lower elevations support extensive agricultural activities including pastureland and crop cultivation.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Frangy would be the south-facing slopes and plateau areas that extend westward toward the Rhône Valley. These areas offer the ideal combination of favorable solar orientation, relatively gentle gradients, and sufficient open space for substantial installations.

The agricultural valleys immediately west and southwest of Frangy present excellent opportunities, particularly where the terrain opens up into broader, flatter areas with minimal shading from surrounding topographic features. These locations typically feature good accessibility for construction and maintenance while maintaining optimal solar exposure throughout the day.

The elevated plateaus and gentle ridgelines that run north-south through the region also offer promising sites, especially those with southern exposures and minimal tree cover. These elevated positions often provide enhanced solar access while avoiding the valley fog that can occasionally affect lower elevations during certain seasons.

Areas closer to existing infrastructure, such as the zones near major transportation corridors running toward Geneva and Annecy, would be particularly advantageous for large installations due to easier grid connection possibilities and reduced development costs. The relatively stable geology of the region, consisting primarily of sedimentary formations with some glacial deposits, generally provides suitable foundation conditions for solar mounting systems.

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.