Solar PV Analysis of Villepinte, France
Villepinte, France, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a moderate location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 48.9655 and longitude 2.5347 influences its solar potential significantly.
Solar energy production in Villepinte varies considerably across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.56 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 4.97 kWh/day. Autumn sees a notable decrease to 2.89 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 1.34 kWh/day.
Seasonal Variations
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal changes on solar energy generation in Villepinte. Long summer days and higher sun angles contribute to peak performance from late spring through early autumn. Conversely, shorter days and lower sun angles during winter months result in significantly reduced output.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Villepinte, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 42 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Villepinte's climate presents some challenges for solar energy production. The region experiences frequent cloud cover, particularly during autumn and winter, which can reduce solar irradiance. Additionally, occasional snowfall in winter may temporarily cover panels, impeding energy generation.
To mitigate these factors, several preventative measures can be implemented:
- Use self-cleaning panels or regular maintenance to remove snow and debris
- Install microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
While not ideal year-round, Villepinte's location still offers substantial potential for solar energy generation, particularly during the spring and summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a significant contribution to the area's renewable energy portfolio.
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 Villepinte
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.9655, Longitude: 2.5347 (Villepinte, 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 Villepinte, France
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Villepinte, France (Lat/Long 48.9655, 2.5347) 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 Villepinte, 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 Villepinte, 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 | 62° 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 Villepinte, 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 Villepinte, 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 Villepinte, France
The area around Villepinte, France, is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of the Île-de-France region. This part of northern France is known for its gently rolling plains and low-lying landscapes. Villepinte itself is situated in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, in an area that has been largely urbanized and developed.
The topography of Villepinte and its surroundings is predominantly level, with only slight variations in elevation. This flat terrain is part of the larger Paris Basin, a geological region that covers much of northern France. The area's elevation is generally low, ranging from about 50 to 100 meters above sea level. There are no significant hills or mountains in the immediate vicinity of Villepinte.
To the north and east of Villepinte, the landscape becomes slightly more rural, with some open fields and small patches of woodland interspersed among the suburban developments. However, the overall topography remains relatively uniform, without any dramatic changes in elevation or notable geographical features.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the options are somewhat limited due to the urbanized nature of the region. However, some potential areas to consider might include:
1. Agricultural land to the north and east of Villepinte: These areas, while not extensive, offer some open spaces that could potentially be repurposed for solar farms. The flat terrain would be advantageous for solar panel installation.
2. Industrial zones and large commercial areas: The rooftops of warehouses, factories, and shopping centers in the vicinity could provide suitable spaces for solar panel arrays. These areas are already developed and would not require additional land use.
3. Abandoned or underutilized plots: Any brownfield sites or former industrial areas in the region could be candidates for solar PV development, provided they receive adequate sunlight and are not earmarked for other urban development projects.
It's important to note that due to the densely populated nature of the Paris metropolitan area, large-scale solar PV projects may face challenges in terms of available land and potential conflicts with urban planning regulations. Any such developments would need to be carefully planned and coordinated with local authorities and stakeholders.
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 30th of September 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.
