Solar PV Analysis of Thoiry, France
The location at Thoiry, France is moderately suitable for solar energy production year-round. In simple terms, the amount of electricity that can be generated from solar panels installed here varies with the seasons.
During summer and spring, the panels can generate quite a lot of electricity - around 5.57 kWh/day and 5.09 kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar panel capacity. These are the ideal times for generating solar energy because there is more sunlight available.
However, in autumn and winter, the electricity generation drops to about 2.92 kWh/day and 1.33 kWh/day per kW respectively due to less sunlight as days are shorter and often cloudier.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year in Thoiry, it's best to tilt them towards south at an angle of 42 degrees which would help capture maximum sunlight.
Now let's talk about local factors that might affect your solar production:
Thoiry is located in a temperate zone which means it experiences mild climate but also regular rainfall throughout the year which could potentially reduce efficiency of your PV system when it’s cloudy or raining heavily.
Also remember that Thoiry has varied topography with its mix of flatlands and hills which could create shadows on your panels depending on where they're installed which again might reduce their efficiency.
To tackle these challenges:
1) Install high-quality PV modules that perform well even during cloudy conditions.
2) Make sure you install your system in a location free from shading.
3) Regular maintenance including cleaning off any debris or dust on panels will ensure they operate efficiently all-year round regardless of weather conditions.
4) If possible consider installing tracking systems that allow panels to follow sun’s path during day maximizing exposure to sunlight.
In conclusion while not perfect due to seasonal variations and potential weather disruptions, with right installation techniques & maintenance practices Thoiry can still be an effective place for harnessing solar energy.
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 Thoiry
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.8704, Longitude: 1.8012 (Thoiry, 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 Thoiry, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Thoiry, France (Lat/Long 48.8704, 1.8012) 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 Thoiry, 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 Thoiry, 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 | 63° 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 Thoiry, 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 Thoiry, 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 Thoiry, France
Thoiry, France is located in the Île-de-France region, which is characterized by a relatively flat landscape with gentle undulating hills. The area around Thoiry is primarily agricultural and forested land.
The topography of this region would be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations as it does not have extreme variations in elevation that could limit sunlight exposure. The relatively flat terrain would facilitate the installation and maintenance of solar panels.
However, the suitability for large-scale solar PV also depends on other factors such as local climate (amount of sunlight), land use regulations, and proximity to power grids for energy transmission.
Areas with open fields or farmland could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations because they are often unobstructed by trees or buildings that could shade the panels. However, any plans would need to consider potential impacts on agricultural activities and local ecosystems.
Additionally, rooftops in urbanized areas nearby such as Versailles or even Paris could also potentially host smaller scale distributed solar PV systems. These systems can contribute to the overall renewable energy generation without requiring additional land resources.
Ultimately, a detailed feasibility study considering all these factors should be carried out to identify specific sites most suited for large-scale solar PV near Thoiry.
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: Monday 1st of January 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.
