Solar PV Analysis of Mers-les-Bains, France
The location at Mers-les-Bains, France is not ideal for generating energy with solar panels year-round. This is because the amount of electricity that can be produced varies greatly depending on the season. During summer and spring, a decent amount of electricity can be generated - around 5.67kWh/day and 5.24kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar panel capacity. However, in autumn and winter, the output decreases significantly to roughly 2.54kWh/day and 1.10kWh/day per kW respectively.
This means that while it's possible to generate a good amount of energy during summer and spring when there's more sunlight, during autumn and winter you'll see less productivity from your solar panels due to fewer daylight hours and likely cloudier weather.
In order to maximize total year-round production from solar panels at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle facing south by about 42 degrees.
As for environmental factors that could potentially impede solar production in Mers-les-Bains; its northern temperate climate means it experiences significant changes in weather throughout the year including periods of heavy rain or snowfall which could reduce sunlight exposure on the panels thereby reducing their efficiency.
To ensure greater energy production despite these challenges one could consider installing tracking systems which allow your panels to move with the sun maximizing exposure throughout the day regardless of season or weather conditions; another option would be regularly maintaining your installation by cleaning off any debris such as leaves or snow that may accumulate over time blocking sunlight onto your panels; finally considering higher quality PV modules with better performance under low light conditions might also help improve overall output especially during those less sunny months.
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 Mers-les-Bains
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.0616, Longitude: 1.3857 (Mers-les-Bains, 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 Mers-les-Bains, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mers-les-Bains, France (Lat/Long 50.0616, 1.3857) 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 Mers-les-Bains, 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 Mers-les-Bains, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Mers-les-Bains, 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 Mers-les-Bains, 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 Mers-les-Bains, France
Mers-les-Bains is located in the Somme department of northern France, along the English Channel. The topography around Mers-les-Bains consists of coastal plains and rolling hills inland. The area is characterized by a mix of urban areas, agricultural lands, and natural spaces.
The region experiences a maritime climate with relatively mild winters and cool summers. The average annual sunshine hours are lower than in southern France but still sufficient for solar energy production.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas would be most suitable to maximize exposure to sunlight. Agricultural lands could potentially host solar panels; however, this would need to consider potential conflicts with food production or local regulations protecting farmland.
One possible location for large-scale solar PV could be industrial zones or brownfield sites near larger towns such as Abbeville or Amiens (southward from Mers-les-Bains). These locations often have good infrastructure connections (roads, power grid) which can facilitate the construction and operation of a solar farm.
Another possibility might be using building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) on rooftops in urban areas including Mers-les-Bains itself. This approach has less land use impact but may require more investment per unit of energy produced due to higher installation costs.
It's important to note that any large-scale renewable energy project should also consider environmental impacts like biodiversity conservation or landscape aesthetics, as well as social acceptance among local communities.
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 10th of April 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.
