Solar PV Analysis of Narbonne, France
Narbonne, Occitanie, France, is a decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, it's not perfect and there are better places. In the summer months, you can expect to generate 6.62 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day for every kilowatt of installed solar power capacity. This drops to 3.25 in autumn and even lower to 1.88 in winter before rising again to 5.31 in spring.
This means that if you're looking at maximising your solar energy production, summer and spring are definitely the best times of year at this location due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight exposure.
In terms of installing your panels, they should be tilted at an angle facing south (37 degrees specifically) which will ensure they capture as much sunlight as possible over the course of a year.
However, despite these positives there are several factors that could potentially impact how much energy you can generate from solar panels in Narbonne.
Firstly, weather plays a big role - cloudy or rainy days mean less sunshine hitting your panels so less electricity being generated; this is especially true during autumn and winter seasons when such weather conditions are more common.
Secondly, local environmental factors like trees or buildings could also block sunlight from reaching your panels depending on where they're installed; careful planning is needed when choosing an installation site for maximum sun exposure without any obstructions blocking it out.
To tackle these issues:
1) Regular maintenance like cleaning off dust or snow build-up from panel surfaces will help keep them efficient.
2) If possible choose a location with minimal shade obstruction.
3) Consider using advanced technology options like tracking systems which move the panels automatically following sun’s path across sky ensuring maximum light interception regardless of season/time of day.
4) Lastly always monitor system performance regularly so any potential problems can be detected early and fixed promptly ensuring optimal performance all-year-round!
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 Narbonne
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.1806, Longitude: 2.9991 (Narbonne, 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 37° South in Narbonne, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Narbonne, France (Lat/Long 43.1806, 2.9991) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Narbonne, 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 Narbonne, France. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° South in Summer | 47° South in Autumn | 58° South in Winter | 36° 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 Narbonne, 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 Narbonne, 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 Narbonne, France
Narbonne, France is located in the region of Occitanie and it's characterized by a relatively flat topography with slight undulations. The city itself lies near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by lagoons to its east. To its west are more hilly areas leading up to the Black Mountains (Montagne Noire) and Pyrenees mountain range further away.
The area around Narbonne receives plenty of sunshine throughout the year, making it suitable for solar PV installations. Given this fact and considering topographical features, there are two types of locations that would be particularly suited for large-scale solar PV installations:
1) Flat agricultural lands: These areas provide large uninterrupted spaces necessary for such installations. They have good sun exposure and can accommodate ground-mounted solar panels.
2) Coastal areas: There could be potential opportunities to install floating solar panels on lagoons along the coast near Narbonne.
However, any plan to install large-scale solar PV would need careful environmental impact assessments as these regions may also host important ecosystems or agricultural activities. Furthermore, local regulations regarding land use and renewable energy projects should also be taken into account.
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 3rd of July 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.
