Saint-Martin-de-Crau, France offers reasonably good conditions for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variation typical of its Northern Temperate Zone location at latitude 43.6333°N, longitude 4.809°E.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows a clear seasonal pattern. Summer provides the strongest performance at 7.55kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it the ideal time for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.94kWh per day per kW, offering excellent production levels. Autumn sees a notable decline to 3.54kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.05kWh per day per kW. This winter figure represents just 27% of summer production, highlighting the significant seasonal variation that characterizes this location. For optimal year-round energy capture, fixed solar panels should be tilted at 37 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual production by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the seasons and the varying solar irradiance levels at this latitude.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several local factors in the Saint-Martin-de-Crau area can impact solar energy production:

• Mistral winds: This region experiences strong, dry winds that can carry dust and debris, potentially reducing panel efficiency through accumulation on surfaces
• Mediterranean dust: Seasonal dust from North Africa can settle on panels, particularly during certain weather patterns
• Salt air exposure: The proximity to the Mediterranean coast means panels may face salt air corrosion over time
• Occasional hail: Mediterranean climate patterns can produce sudden storms with hail that may damage panels

Preventative Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective. Regular cleaning schedules become essential, particularly after dust storms or extended dry periods when particles accumulate on panel surfaces. Choosing panels with anti-reflective coatings and self-cleaning properties helps reduce maintenance needs. Installing panels with adequate spacing allows for proper air circulation and easier cleaning access. Using corrosion-resistant mounting systems and electrical components rated for coastal environments helps combat salt air effects. Additionally, selecting panels with impact-resistant glass provides protection against hail damage, while proper grounding and surge protection safeguard against electrical issues during storms. The location's generally sunny Mediterranean climate and moderate latitude make it quite suitable for solar energy production, especially during the warmer months when energy demand for cooling typically peaks.

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-Martin-de-Crau

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.6333, Longitude: 4.809 (Saint-Martin-de-Crau, 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 37° South in Saint-Martin-de-Crau, France

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Saint-Martin-de-Crau, France (Lat/Long 43.6333, 4.809) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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-Martin-de-Crau, 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-Martin-de-Crau, France. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
27° South in Summer	48° South in Autumn	58° South in Winter	36° 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-Martin-de-Crau, 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-Martin-de-Crau, 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 Saint-Martin-de-Crau, France

Topography of Saint-Martin-de-Crau

Saint-Martin-de-Crau sits in the heart of the Crau plain, one of France's most distinctive geological landscapes in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. This remarkable area represents the ancient delta of the Durance River, formed over thousands of years as the river deposited enormous quantities of rounded stones and pebbles across what is now a vast, relatively flat expanse. The terrain around Saint-Martin-de-Crau is characterized by gentle undulations and subtle elevation changes, with the land gradually sloping toward the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The Crau plain extends roughly 50 kilometers from east to west and 20 kilometers from north to south, creating an expansive plateau that rises gradually from sea level in the south to approximately 50 meters elevation in the northern sections. The landscape is dominated by what locals call "coussouls" - unique steppe-like terrain covered with rounded pebbles that create a distinctive stone desert appearance. These stone fields are interspersed with areas of irrigated agricultural land, particularly in the northern sections where the terrain benefits from ancient Roman irrigation systems.

Regional Terrain Features

The broader region surrounding Saint-Martin-de-Crau presents varied topographical opportunities. To the north, the land gradually rises toward the foothills of the Alpilles mountain range, a small limestone chain that creates gentle slopes and protected valleys. These northern areas maintain relatively flat characteristics suitable for large-scale development while offering slight elevation advantages for drainage and wind patterns. Eastward from Saint-Martin-de-Crau, the terrain continues across the Crau plain toward the Rhône River delta, maintaining consistent flatness with minimal obstacles. The western portions of the plain extend toward Salon-de-Provence, where the landscape begins to show more pronounced rolling hills and agricultural terracing. To the south, the plain gradually descends toward the Étang de Berre lagoon and the Mediterranean coast. This southern region features extensive flat areas broken only by occasional low ridges and ancient coastal formations. The proximity to the sea creates generally stable weather patterns with minimal extreme topographical variations.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations lie primarily in the central and southern portions of the Crau plain. These areas offer the ideal combination of flat terrain, minimal agricultural value due to the stony soil composition, and excellent accessibility via existing road networks. The coussouls regions, while ecologically significant, present opportunities for development that could coexist with conservation efforts through careful planning. The area immediately southeast of Saint-Martin-de-Crau toward Fos-sur-Mer represents particularly promising terrain for large-scale solar development. This zone combines optimal flatness with proximity to major electrical infrastructure and industrial facilities that could facilitate grid connection. The terrain here consists largely of the characteristic stone-covered plains with minimal vegetation, reducing environmental impact concerns compared to more agriculturally productive areas. Northern sections of the plain, particularly those areas between Saint-Martin-de-Crau and the Alpilles foothills, also present excellent opportunities. These locations offer gentle south-facing slopes that could enhance solar collection efficiency while maintaining the accessibility and infrastructure advantages of the broader plain. The slightly elevated positions provide natural drainage benefits and potentially reduced ground moisture issues. The western expanses of the Crau plain toward Miramas and Salon-de-Provence offer additional large-scale development potential. These areas maintain the flat characteristics essential for efficient solar installation while being positioned advantageously relative to existing electrical transmission infrastructure connecting to major population centers in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence.

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.