Solar PV Analysis of Pessac, France
Pessac, France, located in the Northern Temperate Zone is a decent location for year-round solar energy production. However, the effectiveness varies by season.
During summer and spring, solar panels in Pessac can generate quite a bit of electricity - 6.22 kilowatt-hours per day per kilowatt of installed solar in summer and 5.41 kWh/day/kW in spring. These are ideal times to harness solar energy due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
In autumn and winter though, the output drops significantly to 3.27kWh/day/kW and 1.80kWh/day/kW respectively because of shorter days and less intense sunlight.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar panels at this location they should be tilted towards south at an angle of 39 degrees which will allow them to capture as much sunlight as possible throughout different times of the year.
As for local factors that might impede solar production: Pessac's climate is characterized by relatively high rainfall throughout the year which could limit sun exposure on rainy or overcast days thus reducing potential energy generation from your panels during such periods.
To mitigate these issues you might consider installing systems that automatically adjust panel angles based on real-time weather conditions (to ensure maximum light capture even when it's not perfectly sunny) or using advanced photovoltaic materials that can perform better under diffused light conditions (such as during cloudy weather). Regular cleaning & maintenance would also help keep your system performing optimally by preventing build-up of dust/dirt or growths like moss/algae that could block sunlight if left unchecked.
Please note: while these measures may increase overall efficiency they could also add to installation costs so it's important to weigh potential benefits against additional expenses before deciding what's best for your specific situation.
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 Pessac
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.8152, Longitude: -0.6455 (Pessac, 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 39° South in Pessac, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pessac, France (Lat/Long 44.8152, -0.6455) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Pessac, 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 Pessac, France. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29° South in Summer | 49° South in Autumn | 60° South in Winter | 37° 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 Pessac, 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 Pessac, 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 Pessac, France
Pessac is located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France. It lies near the Atlantic coast, in a low-lying area characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain. The region is part of the larger Aquitaine Basin, which is known for its sandy soils and extensive forests.
The topography around Pessac would be relatively suitable for large-scale solar PV installations due to its flatness. However, other factors such as land use and availability, local climate (amount of sunlight), grid connectivity and environmental considerations will also play a crucial role in determining suitability.
Areas with open spaces like farmlands or industrial zones could potentially be suitable for large scale solar PV installations. Also, if there are any unused lands that are not ecologically sensitive or important for agriculture or other uses, they might be considered too.
To determine the most suited areas nearby Pessac for large-scale solar PV projects specifically, it would require more detailed study including GIS analysis considering all these factors mentioned above.
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: Monday 13th of May 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.
