Solar PV Analysis of Gagny, France
Gagny, France, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, can be considered a moderately good location for generating solar energy year-round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies throughout the year. In summer and spring, you'll get more power - around 5.56kWh/day per kW installed in summer and 4.97kWh/day in spring. During autumn and winter, it drops to about 2.89kWh/day and 1.34kWh/day respectively.
This means that the best times of year to generate solar power at this location would be during the longer daylight hours of spring and summer when sunlight is most abundant.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 42 degrees towards the South will maximize your total yearly energy production from these panels.
However, there might be some local factors that could reduce your solar production potential in Gagny like weather conditions or environmental factors such as shade from trees or buildings which could block sunlight reaching your panels.
Weather-wise Gagny has a temperate maritime climate with relatively mild winters but also less sunny days compared to other regions further south - so cloud cover might limit sun exposure on some days especially outside of summer months.
To overcome these challenges:
1) Make sure you install your panels where they won't be shaded by trees or buildings.
2) Consider using more efficient types of solar cells that perform better under cloudy conditions.
3) Regular maintenance (like cleaning dust off the surface) can help keep them working efficiently.
4) A tracking system may increase output by following the sun's path across the sky but it also adds cost to installation so needs to balance against potential gain
Remember though while these measures can enhance performance they cannot completely overcome limitations caused by shorter daylight hours during winter months or prolonged periods with heavy cloud cover typical for this region's climate type.
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 Gagny
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.8834, Longitude: 2.5419 (Gagny, 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 Gagny, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gagny, France (Lat/Long 48.8834, 2.5419) 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 Gagny, 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 Gagny, 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 Gagny, 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 Gagny, 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 Gagny, France
Gagny, France is located in the Île-de-France region which is largely flat with gentle rolling hills. The topography does not have significant mountains or valleys, making it generally suitable for solar PV installations.
Large-scale solar PV installations require open and relatively flat areas that are exposed to sunlight throughout the day. Considering this, agricultural lands around Gagny could be potential sites for large-scale solar PV systems. However, it's important to note that using agricultural land may compete with food production and other uses.
Another option would be rooftops of commercial and industrial buildings in nearby urban areas such as Chelles, Neuilly-sur-Marne or Montfermeil. These locations often have large roof surfaces ideal for installing solar panels without interfering with ground-level activities.
Additionally, brownfield sites (abandoned or underused industrial land) could also serve as potential locations for large-scale solar installations. This kind of site can often be found in and around larger cities like Paris which is not far from Gagny.
However, the suitability of these areas would still need to be confirmed by a detailed site analysis including factors like local planning regulations, grid connection possibilities and environmental considerations.
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: Friday 28th of June 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.
