Solar PV Analysis of Prevessin-Moens, France
Prevessin-Moens, France, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, has a varying level of effectiveness for generating solar energy throughout the year.
During the summer months, you can expect to generate about 6.04 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This is a good amount and makes summer an ideal time for solar energy production at this location.
In autumn, the amount drops to around 3.15 kWh/day per kW of installed solar power which is less than half compared to summer output but still decent enough.
Winter sees a significant drop in productivity with only about 1.63 kWh/day per kW of installed solar power generated due to shorter days and lesser sunlight.
Spring sees an increase again with approximately 4.94 kWh/day per kW of installed solar power being produced as days start getting longer and there's more sunlight available.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 40 degrees towards south would help maximise total year-round production from these panels as it aligns them better with the sun’s path across the sky.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could potentially hinder solar production here are concerned; cloud cover during winter months could significantly reduce output levels because it blocks sunlight reaching the panels. Also snowfall during winter can completely block sunlight if not cleared from panels regularly.
To mitigate these issues when installing your system:
- You might want to consider having some sort of automated or easy-to-use manual system in place for clearing snow off your panels.
- For cloudy periods where there isn't much direct sunshine anyway, you may wish to install additional capacity so that even diffused light can be converted into electricity effectively.
Remember though that while these factors do affect efficiency they don’t make it impossible or unviable – just something you need to plan for when designing your system.
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 Prevessin-Moens
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.2534, Longitude: 6.0726 (Prevessin-Moens, 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 Prevessin-Moens, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Prevessin-Moens, France (Lat/Long 46.2534, 6.0726) 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 Prevessin-Moens, 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 Prevessin-Moens, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 60° 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 Prevessin-Moens, 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 Prevessin-Moens, 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 Prevessin-Moens, France
Prevessin-Moens is located in the eastern part of France, near the Swiss border. The topography of this region is fairly flat with some gentle hills, and it's surrounded by a mix of open fields and woodland. This area has a temperate climate with a good amount of sunshine throughout the year.
When considering large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors are important: availability of sunlight, land suitability (flat or gently sloping lands are ideal), proximity to power grids for easy transmission, and environmental considerations.
Given these criteria:
1. Open fields around Prevessin-Moens could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations because they receive ample sunlight and have relatively flat terrain which makes installation easier.
2. Areas along major roads or highways may also be considered as they often have existing power infrastructure nearby which would make connecting the solar farm to the grid more convenient and cost-effective.
3. Any unused industrial land in nearby cities like Ferney-Voltaire or even Geneva (Switzerland) could also be potential sites as they might already have necessary infrastructures in place.
However, any decision should take into account local regulations regarding land use and renewable energy projects. Potential environmental impact assessments may also need to be conducted before any project can commence.
In addition to geographical suitability, economic factors such as costs associated with land acquisition/lease, installation costs etc., should also be evaluated when deciding on locations for large-scale solar PV projects.
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: Tuesday 9th 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.
