Solar PV Analysis of Saint-Denis, France
Saint-Denis, France is a decent location for generating solar power throughout the year, but it's not perfect. The amount of energy you can get from solar panels varies depending on the season. In summer and spring, you can expect to generate a lot of electricity - 5.56 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed in summer and 4.97 kWh/day in spring.
However, during autumn and winter, the output drops significantly - down to 2.89 kWh/day in autumn and just 1.34 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar panels.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, they should be tilted at an angle of 42 degrees facing southward. This will maximize their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year.
Several factors could affect how much energy you can produce with your solar panels in Saint-Denis though:
- Weather: Cloudy or foggy days will reduce sunlight reaching your panels.
- Topography: If there are hills or tall buildings that cast shadows on your panels during certain parts of the day or certain times of year.
- Environmental Factors: Trees or other vegetation could also create shade that reduces panel efficiency.
To mitigate these issues:
- Install your panels where they won't be shaded by buildings or trees as much as possible.
- Regularly clean off any dust or debris that might accumulate on them which would otherwise block sunlight.
- Consider using tracking systems that adjust the position/angle of your solar panel throughout the day/year to follow sun's path across sky maximizing exposure if it is economically feasible & practical given local conditions.
Remember though, while these steps can help optimize production from installed PV system under given conditions; weather patterns including sunny vs cloudy days are beyond control & will inherently affect overall productivity regardless – hence lower outputs expected during cloudier autumn & 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 Saint-Denis
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.9275, Longitude: 2.3623 (Saint-Denis, 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 Saint-Denis, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Saint-Denis, France (Lat/Long 48.9275, 2.3623) 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 Saint-Denis, 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 Saint-Denis, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32° South in Summer | 52° South in Autumn | 62° South in Winter | 41° 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 Saint-Denis, 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 Saint-Denis, 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 Saint-Denis, France
Saint-Denis, France is located in the Île-de-France region, which is known for its relatively flat topography. The area is largely urbanized with a mix of residential and commercial development. The landscape mostly consists of plains with very gentle slopes. The altitude varies from 23 to 50 meters above sea level.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas that are open and receive a lot of sunlight would be most suitable. In the immediate vicinity of Saint-Denis, such spaces might be limited due to the high level of urban development.
However, considering broader surrounding areas within Île-de-France region, there are several potential locations for large scale solar PV installations:
1) Unused or less productive agricultural lands could potentially be converted into solar farms.
2) Industrial zones or brownfield sites could also provide suitable locations.
3) Rooftops on large buildings (like warehouses or factories) in industrial zones could also be used for installing solar panels.
4) There may also be opportunities to install floating solar panels on bodies of water like reservoirs or ponds.
In all cases, it's important to consider factors such as local climate conditions (amount and intensity of sunlight), regulations regarding land use and environmental impact before deciding on a location for large-scale solar PV installation.
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: Saturday 16th of March 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.
