Solar PV Analysis of Les Essarts, France
The location at Les Essarts, Pays de la Loire, France is a reasonably good spot for generating energy through solar panels all year round. However, there are definitely better times during the year to generate solar energy than others.
In simple terms, more sunlight equals more power. So naturally, summer and spring would be the most productive seasons for solar energy generation at this location with 6.22kWh/day and 5.74kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar panel capacity.
During autumn and winter when days are shorter and sunlight less intense, you can expect significantly less power output from your panels - about 3.30 kWh/day in Autumn and even lower in Winter at around 1.62 kWh/day per kW of installed solar.
To get the most out of your panels throughout the year, they should be tilted towards an angle of approximately 40 degrees facing South direction (since we're in Northern Hemisphere). This will ensure that they receive as much sunlight as possible all year round.
As far as local factors that could impede production go: Les Essarts is located in Northwestern France where it's known to have considerable cloud cover especially during winter months which could limit direct sun exposure on the panels hence reducing their efficiency.
Also if trees or buildings cast shadows over your installation site this too can reduce how much electricity you're able to produce from your panels because they need unobstructed access to sunlight for maximum performance.
Preventative measures that can help increase productivity include choosing a clear open space without obstructions for installation or trimming back any trees that might cause shading issues; also installing tracking systems so your panels follow the sun across sky throughout day maximizing exposure time can help.
Another thing worth considering is regular maintenance like cleaning off dust or snow build-up on panel surfaces which can block sunlight thus reducing overall system efficiency.
Keep in mind though while these factors do affect overall productivity levels- modern PV technology has greatly improved efficiency levels and can still generate reasonable amounts of power even under less than ideal conditions.
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 Les Essarts
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.7709, Longitude: -1.2307 (Les Essarts, 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 Les Essarts, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Les Essarts, France (Lat/Long 46.7709, -1.2307) 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 Les Essarts, 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 Les Essarts, 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 Les Essarts, 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 Les Essarts, 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 Les Essarts, France
Les Essarts is located in the Vendée department in the Pays de la Loire region of western France. The area around Les Essarts is largely flat or gently rolling, with a mix of farmland and forested areas.
This topography makes it relatively suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. Flat or gently sloping land is ideal for solar PV because it allows for maximum sun exposure and easier installation and maintenance.
However, other factors must also be considered when determining suitability for solar PV. These include local climate conditions (amount of sunlight), existing land use, proximity to power grids, and environmental impacts.
Given these considerations, open farmland areas may be most suited to large-scale solar PV near Les Essarts. They offer ample space, good sun exposure, and are usually already cleared of trees which could block sunlight. However, this would need to balance against potential impacts on agricultural activities.
Forest clearings could also be potential sites if they are large enough and receive sufficient sunlight throughout the day; but deforestation can have negative environmental impacts that should be avoided if possible.
Ultimately specific site selection would require more detailed study including consultation with local communities and authorities as well as thorough environmental impact assessments.
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: Sunday 9th 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.
