Pompignac, France, located at latitude 44.8518 and longitude -0.4369 in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers varying conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The seasonal electricity output shows significant fluctuations across the four meteorological seasons.

Solar energy production in Pompignac reaches its peak during summer months, generating an impressive 6.18kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.36kWh/day per kW of installed capacity, making spring and summer the ideal periods for solar energy harvesting at this location.

The autumn months show a noticeable decrease in generation capacity, producing 3.21kWh/day per kW. Winter presents the greatest challenge for solar production in Pompignac, with output dropping to just 1.74kWh/day per kW of installed capacity – less than a third of the summer production.

Optimal Installation Parameters

For fixed solar panel installations in Pompignac, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 39 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar collection throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and seasonal solar variations.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors may impact solar production in this region of southwestern France. Pompignac experiences a maritime climate influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, which can bring periods of cloudiness and precipitation, particularly during winter months, contributing to the lower winter production figures.

Fog and morning mist can be relatively common in this region during autumn and winter, temporarily reducing solar efficiency during early daylight hours. Additionally, the area may experience occasional hailstorms during spring and summer thunderstorms, which could potentially damage solar panels if not adequately protected.

Preventative measures for these conditions include:

• Installing hail-resistant solar panels with tempered glass that can withstand impact
• Implementing automated cleaning systems to address pollen accumulation in spring and dust during dry summer periods
• Using micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize production losses during partial shading conditions
• Ensuring proper drainage systems to prevent water accumulation after heavy rainfall

With these considerations addressed during installation, solar PV systems in Pompignac can effectively capitalize on the strong production potential during spring and summer while minimizing losses during the less productive autumn and winter 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 Pompignac

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.8518, Longitude: -0.4369 (Pompignac, 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 Pompignac, France

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pompignac, France (Lat/Long 44.8518, -0.4369) 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 Pompignac, 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 Pompignac, 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 Pompignac, 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 Pompignac, France.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Pompignac, France

Pompignac, France is situated in the Gironde department of southwestern France, approximately 15 kilometers east of Bordeaux. The topography of this region is characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys typical of the Entre-Deux-Mers area, which lies between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. The landscape around Pompignac features modest elevation changes, with altitudes ranging from approximately 30 to 90 meters above sea level. The terrain consists of a series of small plateaus and shallow valleys, creating a pleasantly undulating countryside. This topographical variety contributes to the region's renowned viticultural heritage, as the varying slopes and aspects create diverse microclimates suitable for wine production.

Surrounding Landscape Features

To the west of Pompignac, the land gradually descends toward the Garonne River and the Bordeaux metropolitan area. The eastern areas become slightly more elevated and feature more pronounced hills. Small streams and tributaries have carved modest valleys throughout the region, creating natural drainage patterns that have shaped the landscape over millennia. The area is predominantly rural, with a patchwork of agricultural land, vineyards, and forested areas. Oak and pine woodlands occupy many of the steeper slopes and areas less suitable for cultivation. These wooded areas create natural breaks in the landscape and contribute to the region's biodiversity.

Solar PV Potential in the Region

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the most suitable areas near Pompignac would be the flatter plateaus and gently sloping south-facing hillsides. These locations offer optimal conditions for solar energy capture while minimizing the earthworks required for installation. Several specific areas show particular promise: The plateaus to the northeast of Pompignac, extending toward the communes of Sallebœuf and Bonnetan, offer relatively flat terrain with good solar exposure. These areas typically have less tree cover and more open agricultural land that could potentially be converted to solar use. The moderately sloping lands to the southeast, in the direction of Saint-Sulpice-et-Cameyrac, also present favorable conditions. These areas benefit from good southern exposure while still maintaining the relatively gentle gradients preferred for large-scale installations. Some of the reclaimed former agricultural lands to the south and southwest might also be suitable, particularly where the terrain is not heavily forested and maintains a southerly aspect.

Topographical Considerations for Solar Development

When considering solar PV development in this region, several topographical factors merit attention. The modest hills can actually be advantageous when they slope toward the south, as they naturally orient panels toward the sun's path. However, care must be taken to avoid areas with significant morning or evening shading from adjacent hills or woodland. The drainage patterns created by the rolling topography require consideration during site planning to manage water runoff and prevent erosion around solar installations. The numerous small valleys and watercourses should generally be avoided as they often represent areas with greater ecological sensitivity and potential flooding concerns. The existing agricultural use of much of the flatter land presents both challenges and opportunities. While conversion of productive agricultural land may face regulatory hurdles, marginally productive areas or those affected by changing climate conditions might be more readily available for solar development with less impact on local food production.

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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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.