The location at Gueures, Normandy, France is somewhat suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, its effectiveness varies depending on the season.
In simple terms, a solar PV system installed in this location would produce more electricity during summer and spring compared to autumn and winter. Specifically, each kilowatt of installed solar could generate about 5.45 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and around 5.12 kWh/day in spring. In contrast, the output drops significantly to approximately 2.72 kWh/day in autumn and only about 1.22 kWh/day during winter.
Given these figures, it's clear that the ideal times of year for generating solar power at this location are summer and spring when daylight hours are longer and sunlight is stronger.
For optimal performance of a fixed panel installation here, it’s best to tilt panels at an angle of 43 degrees facing South which would maximize total production from solar PV throughout the year.
As for potential impediments to solar production at this location - environmental or weather factors could be relevant but only if they're significant enough to affect operation significantly.
Being located in Northern Temperate Zone means that Gueures experiences colder temperatures particularly during winter months which can potentially reduce efficiency as well as increase snowfall risk covering panels thereby reducing their exposure to sunlight; although snow can also reflect light onto panels sometimes increasing their efficiency slightly overall too though not enough usually to offset reduced exposure due to coverage by snow.
To mitigate against these risks preventative measures such as installing automated or manual removal systems can help keep your panels clear from any potential blockages like heavy snowfall ensuring greater energy production across all seasons despite varying weather conditions.
Furthermore regular maintenance checks should be scheduled including cleaning dust off panels especially after storms or high winds which may carry dirt particles onto them reducing their efficiency until cleaned again.
Overall while not perfect Gueures, Normandy, France can still be a viable location for solar energy production especially with the right setup and preventative measures in place.
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 Gueures
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 49.8427, Longitude: 0.9612 (Gueures, 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 43° South in Gueures, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gueures, France (Lat/Long 49.8427, 0.9612) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Gueures, 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 Gueures, France. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34° South in Summer | 53° South in Autumn | 63° South in Winter | 42° 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 Gueures, 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 Gueures, 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 Gueures, France
Gueures, France is located in the Normandy region of Northern France. The topography around Gueures generally consists of gently rolling hills and flat plains, with a mix of arable farmland and pastures.
The area experiences a temperate maritime climate, characterized by mild summers and cool winters. While it does receive sunlight suitable for solar energy production, it's not as high compared to southern parts of France.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat open areas are most suitable due to ease of installation and maintenance. Therefore, unused farmlands or pastures could be potential sites for such projects in this region.
However, it should be noted that the suitability for large-scale solar PV also depends on other factors like local regulations regarding land use and environmental impact assessments among others. Also important is proximity to power grids for efficient transmission of the generated electricity.
Therefore while there might be potential locations based on topography alone around Gueures for large scale Solar PV projects; actual feasibility would need more detailed study considering all these factors.
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: Wednesday 26th 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.




