Solar PV Analysis of Achern, Germany
The location in Achern, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany is decent for generating energy using solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, it's important to note that the efficiency of solar power generation varies significantly depending on the season.
During summer and spring, this location can produce a good amount of electricity. Specifically, you can expect about 5.59 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar in summer and 4.56 kWh/day per kW in spring. This means these are the best times to generate solar energy at this location.
On the other hand, autumn and winter see a significant drop in production due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. In autumn, you can expect around 2.81 kWh/day per kW of installed solar while winter will yield only about 1.37 kWh/day per kW.
To maximize total year-round production from your PV system at this location, fixed panels should ideally be tilted at an angle of 41 degrees facing South.
As for potential obstacles to efficient power generation here: weather conditions such as fog or heavy cloud cover could impede sunlight reaching your panels; snowfall during winter months could also cover them up entirely if not cleaned off regularly; air pollution or dust might accumulate on panel surfaces reducing their efficiency over time.
Preventative measures against these issues include regular cleaning and maintenance of panels to remove any accumulated dirt or snow; installing trackers that follow the sun’s path across the sky during daytime could help increase exposure to sunlight especially during less sunny seasons like autumn/winter; finally considering high-quality PV modules with better performance under low light conditions may also be beneficial.
Remember though that while these measures might improve overall output they would also add cost so it's important to balance potential benefits against additional expenses when planning your installation project.
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 919 locations across Germany. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Germany by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Achern
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.6306, Longitude: 8.0743 (Achern, Germany), 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 Achern, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Achern, Germany (Lat/Long 48.6306, 8.0743) 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 Achern, Germany
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 Achern, Germany. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32° South in Summer | 51° 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 Achern, Germany
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 Achern, Germany.
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 Achern, Germany
Achern, Germany is located in the Baden-Württemberg region, which is characterized by a varied topography. The town itself is situated in the Rhine Valley but it's surrounded by low-lying mountains and hills of the Black Forest to the east. The terrain around Achern consists mainly of forests, fields and some urbanized areas.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are preferable as they are easier to develop and more efficient for solar energy collection. As such, locations within the Rhine Valley would be most suitable for this kind of project due to its flatter terrain compared to surrounding mountainous regions.
However, it should also be noted that factors like local climate (amount of sunlight), land use restrictions/availability and proximity to power grids also play crucial roles in determining suitability for large-scale solar projects. Therefore a comprehensive feasibility study including these aspects would be necessary before deciding on any specific site.
The area south-west from Achern towards Rheinmünster might be particularly promising - there's an existing infrastructure due to Baden Airpark located there and relatively flat terrain with less forest coverage which could potentially accommodate larger scale photovoltaic installations.
Germany solar PV Stats as a country
Germany ranks 4th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 58,461 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 9.70% of Germany's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 3rd in the world). Each year Germany is generating 702 Watts from solar PV per capita (Germany ranks 3rd in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Germany?
Yes, there are a few incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Germany. These include feed-in tariffs, which guarantee businesses a price per kilowatt hour of electricity produced from their solar system; tax incentives such as the reduction of corporate income taxes; and subsidies from regional governments or utilities. Additionally, Germany's Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) provides additional support for projects that involve renewable energies.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Germany? 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 4th of June 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.
