Solar PV Analysis of Vallet, France
The location at Vallet, Pays de la Loire, France is generally good for producing energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, the effectiveness of this method varies throughout the year due to changes in weather and sunlight.
During summer and spring, you can expect a high electricity output from your solar panels, with an average daily production of 5.73 kWh and 5.40 kWh per kW of installed solar respectively. This means that these seasons are ideal times to generate solar power at this location because there's more sunlight for longer periods during these months.
On the other hand, autumn and winter have lower daily outputs - 3.13 kWh/day in autumn and just 1.47 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar panel - due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight.
To maximize the total yearly production from your PV system in Vallet, Pays de la Loire, it would be best to tilt your panels at an angle of 41 degrees facing south - this will allow them to catch as much sunlight as possible throughout all seasons.
However, there might be local factors that could affect your energy production negatively such as cloudy or rainy weather which are common in Northern France especially during autumn and winter months. These conditions reduce the amount of direct sunlight reaching your panels hence reducing their efficiency.
In order to overcome such challenges when installing a PV system here; consider using advanced modules designed for low-light conditions or integrating battery storage into your system so excess power generated during sunny days can be stored for use when sunshine is scarce.
Also remember regular cleaning & maintenance can help keep any potential dirt or debris from blocking light onto the panels thus ensuring maximum performance year-round.
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 Vallet
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.166, Longitude: -1.2638 (Vallet, 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 41° South in Vallet, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Vallet, France (Lat/Long 47.166, -1.2638) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 41° 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 Vallet, 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 Vallet, France. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 41° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31° South in Summer | 51° South in Autumn | 61° 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 Vallet, 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 Vallet, 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 Vallet, France
Vallet is located in the Pays de la Loire region of western France. The topography around Vallet is relatively flat with gentle rolling hills, a mix of open fields and forests. There are also vineyards in this area as it's part of the Muscadet wine-growing region.
The climate here is temperate maritime, which means mild winters and cool summers. While there's substantial rainfall throughout the year, it also receives ample sunlight making it suitable for solar PV installations.
Large-scale solar PV systems require large tracts of land that receive abundant sunlight throughout the year. Open fields or unused agricultural lands would be ideal for such installations because they're typically free from shading (from trees or buildings) and can accommodate large arrays of solar panels.
In terms of specific areas near Vallet that might be suitable for large-scale solar PV:
1. The open fields to the north and south-east of Vallet could potentially be used.
2. Areas along Route D763 towards Le Pallet may also be suitable given their exposure to sunlight.
3. Unused agricultural lands or vineyards could potentially host solar panels if they are not being used for cultivation.
However, any decision about where to place a large-scale solar installation should consider local regulations related to land use, environmental impact assessments, potential effects on local wildlife habitats etc., along with an analysis of sun exposure across different seasons and times of day.
Remember too that while physical characteristics like topography and climate are important when considering suitability for solar power generation, other factors such as grid connectivity, proximity to demand centers (like cities), infrastructure availability etc., also play crucial roles in determining feasibility and profitability.
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: Thursday 18th 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.
