Solar PV Analysis of Gevrey-Chambertin, France
Gevrey-Chambertin, a picturesque village in the Burgundy region of France, presents a mixed bag when it comes to solar energy generation. Located at 47.2237° N latitude and 4.9633° E longitude, this Northern Temperate Zone location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.66 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.98 kWh/day. However, the output drops considerably in autumn to 3.01 kWh/day, and plummets to a mere 1.44 kWh/day during the winter months.
These figures highlight the stark contrast between the warm and cold seasons, with summer producing nearly four times as much energy as winter. This disparity is primarily due to the changing angle of the sun and varying daylight hours throughout the year.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Gevrey-Chambertin, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 40-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle helps capture the most sunlight possible across all seasons, balancing the low winter sun with the high summer sun.
Environmental Considerations
While Gevrey-Chambertin doesn't face any severe environmental challenges for solar production, there are a few factors to consider:
- Cloud cover: The region experiences cloudy days, particularly in autumn and winter, which can reduce solar output.
- Fog: Being in a valley, morning fog can sometimes delay the start of peak production hours.
To mitigate these issues, consider using high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions. Additionally, implementing a solar tracking system could help maximize energy capture during limited sunlight hours.
Conclusion
Overall, Gevrey-Chambertin offers good potential for solar energy production, especially from late spring through early autumn. While winter months present challenges, proper panel placement and technology choices can help maintain reasonable energy generation year-round. With thoughtful installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can be a viable and sustainable energy option for this charming French village.
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 Gevrey-Chambertin
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.2237, Longitude: 4.9633 (Gevrey-Chambertin, 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 40° South in Gevrey-Chambertin, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gevrey-Chambertin, France (Lat/Long 47.2237, 4.9633) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 40° 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 Gevrey-Chambertin, 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 Gevrey-Chambertin, France. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 40° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 61° South in Winter | 39° 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 Gevrey-Chambertin, 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 Gevrey-Chambertin, 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 Gevrey-Chambertin, France
The topography around Gevrey-Chambertin, France, is characterized by a picturesque landscape typical of the Burgundy wine region. This area is located on the eastern slopes of the Côte d'Or, a limestone escarpment that runs roughly north-south for about 50 kilometers. The terrain is gently rolling, with a gradual incline from east to west.
Gevrey-Chambertin itself sits at the foot of this escarpment, with vineyards climbing up the slopes to the west. The elevation ranges from about 240 meters above sea level in the village to around 400 meters at the top of the nearby hills. These slopes face east and southeast, which is ideal for grape cultivation but less optimal for solar energy production.
To the east of Gevrey-Chambertin, the land flattens out into a broader plain known as the Saône Valley. This area is more level and open, with fewer obstructions to sunlight. The surrounding region also includes some forested areas, particularly on the higher parts of the escarpment and in areas less suitable for wine production.
Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found in the flatter, more open spaces to the east of Gevrey-Chambertin. The Saône Valley, with its wider expanses of level ground, would offer more potential for solar farms. These areas would have fewer issues with shading from hills or forests and could accommodate larger arrays of solar panels.
However, it's important to note that this region is famous for its wine production, and much of the land is dedicated to vineyards. Any large-scale solar projects would need to be carefully planned to avoid conflicts with agricultural use and to preserve the cultural and economic importance of the local wine industry.
Areas that might be more suitable for solar PV could include former industrial sites, unused agricultural land, or purpose-built solar parks on less productive ground. The specific locations would require detailed site assessments, taking into account factors such as sun exposure, grid connectivity, and local land-use regulations.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 10th of September 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
