Solar PV Analysis of Venelles, France
Venelles, France, situated at latitude 43.6022 and longitude 5.4908, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This picturesque town in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences varying levels of solar potential across the seasons, with notable peaks and troughs in energy production.
Seasonal Solar Output
The solar energy output in Venelles follows a predictable pattern, with summer being the most productive season. During the warm months, each kilowatt of installed solar capacity can generate an impressive 7.52 kWh per day. Spring follows as the second most productive season, yielding 5.93 kWh daily per kW installed. Autumn sees a significant drop to 3.60 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.23 kWh/day per kW of installed solar.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
The ideal period for solar energy production in Venelles spans from late spring through early autumn. This extended period of high solar potential makes the location quite favorable for year-round solar PV installations. Even during the less productive winter months, the region still receives a reasonable amount of sunlight, ensuring some energy generation throughout the year.
Panel Tilt Optimization
To maximize year-round solar production in Venelles, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 37 degrees facing south. This optimal angle has been calculated considering the location's latitude, daily solar elevation angles, and weighted by NASA's solar irradiance data. This tilt ensures the panels capture the most sunlight possible across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Venelles generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few factors to consider:
- Occasional strong winds known as the Mistral can affect the region, potentially causing dust accumulation on panels.
- Infrequent hailstorms may pose a risk to solar installations.
To mitigate these issues, it's advisable to use high-quality, durable solar panels that can withstand strong winds and potential hail impacts. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the panels can help combat dust accumulation. Additionally, installing panels at the optimal tilt angle not only maximizes energy production but also allows for natural cleaning during rainfall events.
Overall, Venelles presents an ideal location for solar PV installations, with its generous sunlight throughout the year and manageable environmental factors. With proper installation and maintenance, solar energy systems in this area can provide significant and reliable renewable energy production.
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 Venelles
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 43.6022, Longitude: 5.4908 (Venelles, 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 Venelles, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Venelles, France (Lat/Long 43.6022, 5.4908) 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 Venelles, 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 Venelles, 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 Venelles, 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 Venelles, 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 Venelles, France
The area around Venelles, France, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography typical of the Provence region. Located in southeastern France, Venelles sits on the northern edge of the Aix-en-Provence basin, nestled between rolling hills and gentle slopes.
To the north and east of Venelles, the terrain becomes more rugged as it transitions into the foothills of the Luberon mountain range. These hills are often covered with Mediterranean vegetation, including pine forests and scrubland. The landscape here is marked by undulating contours and occasional rocky outcrops.
To the south and west, the land opens up into a broader, flatter expanse known as the Aix-en-Provence basin. This area features more gentle slopes and plateaus, with scattered farmland and vineyards. The famous Mont Sainte-Victoire, immortalized in Cézanne's paintings, dominates the southeastern horizon from Venelles.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would be relatively flat or gently sloping areas with good sun exposure throughout the day. The plains and plateaus to the south and southwest of Venelles could potentially offer suitable sites for solar farms.
Areas of particular interest might include the agricultural lands between Venelles and Aix-en-Provence, as well as some of the more open spaces to the west towards Eguilles. These regions tend to have fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels and generally receive ample sunlight due to the Mediterranean climate.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to balance energy production goals with preservation of the region's natural beauty and agricultural heritage. Environmental impact assessments and local regulations would play a crucial role in determining the feasibility and exact locations of such projects.
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: Monday 23rd of September 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
