Solar PV Analysis of Verson, France
Verson, Normandy, France, situated at latitude 49.1622 and longitude -0.4595, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this region experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which directly impacts the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy production in Verson follows a predictable pattern aligned with the changing seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 5.68 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring closely follows with 5.24 kWh/day, making these two seasons the ideal times for solar energy generation.
However, the picture changes dramatically during the colder months. Autumn sees a significant drop to 2.71 kWh/day, while winter experiences a steep decline to a mere 1.18 kWh/day. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of maintaining consistent solar energy production throughout the year in this location.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Verson, Normandy, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 42 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize the capture of available sunlight across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several factors could potentially impede solar production in Verson:
- Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, which can significantly reduce solar irradiance.
- Rainfall: Verson receives considerable precipitation throughout the year, which can affect panel efficiency and require regular cleaning.
- Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in limited daylight hours during winter months, further reducing solar energy potential.
To mitigate these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented during solar installation:
- Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions
- Install a robust cleaning system or schedule regular manual cleaning to combat the effects of rainfall and potential debris
- Consider incorporating energy storage solutions to balance out the seasonal variations in production
- Implement snow-shedding features for panels to minimize winter production losses
While Verson's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper system design and maintenance can help maximize the available solar resources, particularly during the highly productive summer and spring seasons.
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 Verson
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 49.1622, Longitude: -0.4595 (Verson, 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 Verson, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Verson, France (Lat/Long 49.1622, -0.4595) 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 Verson, 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 Verson, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33° 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 Verson, 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 Verson, 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 Verson, France
The area around Verson, France, is characterized by gently rolling hills and open countryside typical of the Normandy region. Located in the Calvados department, this part of northern France features a predominantly rural landscape with a mix of agricultural fields, pastures, and small patches of woodland.
The terrain in and around Verson is relatively flat to mildly undulating, with elevations generally ranging from about 30 to 70 meters above sea level. The land gradually slopes down towards the north and east, where the Orne River valley is located. To the south and west, the landscape becomes slightly more elevated, with subtle hills and plateaus.
Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited for such projects would likely be found to the south and southwest of Verson. These locations tend to have slightly higher elevations and more open, unobstructed spaces that could potentially receive better sun exposure throughout the day. The gently sloping terrain in these directions could also be advantageous for solar panel placement, as it may allow for optimal angling towards the sun.
However, it's important to note that the Normandy region, in general, experiences relatively high levels of cloud cover and precipitation compared to southern France. This factor may impact the overall efficiency of solar energy production in the area. Additionally, the region's rich agricultural heritage means that many of the open spaces are actively used for farming, which could pose challenges for large-scale solar development.
Any potential solar PV projects would need to carefully consider factors such as land availability, current land use, local zoning regulations, and environmental impact assessments. The areas best suited for solar installations would ideally be those that offer a balance between favorable topography, minimal agricultural disruption, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure for grid connection.
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: Tuesday 8th of October 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.
