Villard-Bonnot, France is a location with moderate potential for solar PV energy generation, experiencing significant seasonal variations throughout the year. This commune in the Isère department shows typical Northern Temperate Zone solar characteristics, with energy production peaking in summer and dropping considerably during winter months.

Seasonal Solar Output

The solar energy production at Villard-Bonnot follows a predictable seasonal pattern. For each kilowatt of installed solar capacity, the system produces 6.20 kWh per day during summer, making this the most productive season. Spring follows with a solid output of 5.31 kWh daily. Autumn sees a significant decrease to 3.11 kWh per day, while winter production drops dramatically to just 1.62 kWh daily per installed kilowatt.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production (a ratio of nearly 4:1) indicates that solar energy systems in Villard-Bonnot will generate most of their annual electricity during the warmer half of the year, from late spring through early autumn.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Villard-Bonnot, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 39 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated by analyzing the solar elevation throughout the year weighted by the potential daily production at this specific latitude and longitude (45.235, 5.8784).

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors may impact solar production in Villard-Bonnot:

• Alpine snow accumulation in winter can temporarily cover panels, though the region's moderate elevation means this is usually manageable with proper installation angles
• Occasional fog from the nearby Isère valley, particularly in autumn and winter months, may reduce production during morning hours
• Alpine dust and pollen during spring and summer can accumulate on panels, gradually reducing efficiency

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Villard-Bonnot should incorporate several preventative measures. Panels should be installed with sufficient clearance from the roof surface to allow snow to slide off. Regular cleaning schedules, particularly after pollen season and before winter, can maintain optimal efficiency. Additionally, microinverter or power optimizer technology can help minimize production losses from partial shading that might occur from nearby Alpine terrain or vegetation.

Overall, while Villard-Bonnot isn't ideal for year-round solar production due to its significant winter drop-off, the strong summer and spring performance makes it a viable location for solar PV installations with proper planning and maintenance.

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 Villard-Bonnot

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 45.235, Longitude: 5.8784 (Villard-Bonnot, 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 39° South in Villard-Bonnot, France

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Villard-Bonnot, France (Lat/Long 45.235, 5.8784) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Villard-Bonnot, 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 Villard-Bonnot, France. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
29° South in Summer	48° South in Autumn	59° South in Winter	38° 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 Villard-Bonnot, 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 Villard-Bonnot, 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 Villard-Bonnot, France

The landscape around Villard-Bonnot, France, situated at coordinates 45.235° N, 5.8784° E, is characterized by diverse topographical features typical of the Isère department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This commune lies in the Grésivaudan Valley, a striking glacial valley that stretches between two imposing mountain ranges: the Chartreuse massif to the west and the Belledonne massif to the east. The Grésivaudan Valley itself is relatively flat, with an average elevation of approximately 220-250 meters above sea level. The valley floor where Villard-Bonnot sits is shaped by the Isère River, which flows northwestward through the region. This valley creates a natural corridor that runs from Grenoble (about 15 kilometers southwest of Villard-Bonnot) toward Chambéry to the northeast.

Mountain Influences

The western horizon from Villard-Bonnot is dominated by the limestone peaks of the Chartreuse Mountains, which rise steeply from the valley floor to heights exceeding 2,000 meters. The eastern side presents an even more dramatic topographical contrast with the crystalline Belledonne mountain range, whose peaks reach over 2,900 meters. This mountainous enclosure creates a distinctive microclimate for the valley and influences both local weather patterns and solar exposure.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations near Villard-Bonnot, several areas present favorable conditions: The valley floor areas, particularly agricultural lands and industrial zones between Villard-Bonnot and neighboring communes like Crolles and Le Versoud, offer relatively flat terrain ideal for solar installations. These areas benefit from good solar exposure without significant shadowing from the mountains during most of the day. South-facing slopes on the lower western foothills of the Belledonne massif present excellent opportunities for solar farms. These areas receive substantial direct sunlight due to their orientation and are typically less valuable for agriculture due to their gradient. Former industrial sites within Villard-Bonnot itself could be repurposed for solar energy production. The commune has a history of paper manufacturing and metallurgy, potentially leaving brownfield sites suitable for development.

Topographical Considerations

Despite the promising locations mentioned above, the mountainous surroundings do create some challenges for solar energy production. The tall peaks of both mountain ranges can cast shadows during early morning and late afternoon, particularly during winter months when the sun's path is lower in the southern sky. This effect is more pronounced in locations closer to the steep mountain slopes. The valley orientation (northeast to southwest) generally aligns well with the sun's daily path, maximizing potential sunlight capture during peak daylight periods. However, the narrowness of the valley in some sections may limit the total area available for very large installations. Water management is another topographical consideration, as the Isère River and its tributaries create potential flood zones in parts of the valley floor. Solar installations would need to be planned with appropriate drainage and elevation to mitigate flood risks.

Accessibility Factors

The topography around Villard-Bonnot offers good accessibility for construction and maintenance of solar installations. The relatively flat valley floor is well-served by transportation infrastructure, including the A41 autoroute and several departmental roads. The railway line that runs through Villard-Bonnot connects to Grenoble and Chambéry, facilitating equipment transport. In contrast, the more steeply sloped areas, while potentially beneficial for solar exposure, present greater challenges for access and construction. Development costs would likely be higher in these areas due to the need for terrain adaptation and more complex infrastructure. The topographical variety around Villard-Bonnot creates both opportunities and challenges for solar PV development, with the valley floor and lower south-facing slopes offering the most practical locations for large-scale installations.

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

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.