Solar PV Analysis of Saint-Loubes, France
The location at Saint-Loubes, France is reasonably good for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) panels throughout the year. This is because it receives a varying amount of sunlight depending on the season.
In simpler terms, in summer you can expect each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar to generate around 6.22 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day. In autumn, this drops to about 3.27 kWh/day; in winter it's even lower at roughly 1.80 kWh/day; and spring sees an increase again with approximately 5.41 kWh/day.
This means that while there are fluctuations throughout the year, summer and spring are the most productive seasons for solar energy generation at this location due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
For optimal performance of your solar PV system here, you should tilt your panels towards south at an angle of about 39 degrees from horizontal level - this will help maximize total yearly production from your panels by ensuring they get as much sun exposure as possible.
As far as local factors that could affect solar production go, one potential issue could be weather conditions such as heavy cloud cover or fog which can reduce sunlight reaching the panels especially during autumn and winter months when these conditions tend to be more prevalent in Northern Temperate Zones like Saint-Loubes.
To overcome such challenges and ensure greater energy production, consider installing a tracking system that allows your panels to follow the sun’s path across the sky thereby increasing their exposure time to sunlight regardless of season or weather condition - though this may add extra cost initially but could pay off over time with increased power output.
Additionally, regular cleaning and maintenance can also help keep your panels free from dust or debris buildup which might otherwise block some light from hitting them effectively reducing their efficiency over time.
Overall then while there are certain seasonal variations and potential weather-related impediments affecting solar power generation at Saint-Loubes, with appropriate setup and maintenance these can be largely mitigated making this location quite suitable for solar PV installations.
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-Loubes
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.9184, Longitude: -0.4283 (Saint-Loubes, 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 Saint-Loubes, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Saint-Loubes, France (Lat/Long 44.9184, -0.4283) 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 Saint-Loubes, 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-Loubes, 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 | 38° 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-Loubes, 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-Loubes, 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-Loubes, France
Saint-Loubès is located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France, near Bordeaux. The topography of the area is characterized by gentle rolling hills, vineyards and agricultural lands, and forests. The Garonne River flows nearby to the west.
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, flat or gently sloping areas are typically preferred as they require less site preparation work and can accommodate more panels per unit area. Therefore, the agricultural lands around Saint-Loubès could be suitable for such a project.
However, other factors would also need to be considered including sun exposure (the amount of sunlight an area receives), proximity to power transmission lines (for connecting the solar farm to the grid), environmental impacts (e.g., effects on local wildlife or ecosystems), land use regulations and local community acceptance.
The exact suitability would therefore need a detailed site assessment which includes these factors. Also keep in mind that while France has been investing heavily in renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, it still has strict regulations when it comes to land use for such projects especially on agricultural lands due its rich tradition in farming and wine 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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 4th 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.
