Solar PV Analysis of Aschaffenburg, Germany
Based on the data provided, Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, Germany has a moderate potential for solar energy production throughout the year. The amount of solar energy that can be generated varies by season.
During summer and spring, there is a high potential for generating solar power with 5.55kWh/day and 4.57kWh/day respectively per kilowatt of installed solar panels. This means that these are the best times to generate solar power in this location because the sun is out longer and more directly overhead.
Autumn sees a decrease in potential output to about half of what can be achieved in summer at 2.59kWh/day per kW of installed solar panels. Winter has the lowest potential with only 1.24kWh/day per kW due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun angles.
For optimal results throughout the year, it's recommended that fixed panel installations at this location are tilted at an angle of 42 degrees facing southward. This angle would maximize exposure to sunlight over all seasons.
Local factors that could impede solar production include weather conditions such as cloud cover or fog which are common in Germany especially during autumn and winter months; these reduce sunlight reaching the panels thus lowering energy production levels.
Topographically, if there are tall buildings or trees around where you plan to install your panels they might cast shadows onto them reducing their efficiency too.
To overcome these challenges:
- Installations could be placed on rooftops or other elevated areas clear from obstructions.
- Use tracking systems which adjust panel angles based on time of day/year for maximum sunlight exposure.
- Consider using higher efficiency panels which perform better under sub-optimal light conditions like cloudy days.
Remember though, while these measures may help improve performance they also increase installation costs so it's important to weigh up whether they're worth it based on how much extra energy you'll actually get out of your system over its lifetime compared with just going with a simpler, cheaper setup.
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 Aschaffenburg
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 49.9739, Longitude: 9.1408 (Aschaffenburg, 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 42° South in Aschaffenburg, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Aschaffenburg, Germany (Lat/Long 49.9739, 9.1408) 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 Aschaffenburg, 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 Aschaffenburg, Germany. 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 | 42° 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 Aschaffenburg, 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 Aschaffenburg, 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 Aschaffenburg, Germany
Aschaffenburg is located in the northwest part of Bavaria, Germany. The topography around this city is relatively flat to slightly hilly, as it is situated in the Lower Franconia region. The city itself lies on the banks of the Main River and has a mix of urban and green spaces.
The Spessart mountains lie to the east and north-east of Aschaffenburg which are covered with dense mixed forests. These areas wouldn't be suitable for large-scale solar PV due to lack of sun exposure caused by trees and uneven terrain.
Large scale solar PV installations require open, flat or gently sloping land with good sun exposure (preferably south-facing in Northern Hemisphere). With this in mind, agricultural lands or open fields around Aschaffenburg would be more suitable for such installations.
However, any decision about installing large-scale solar PV should consider various factors like local climate conditions (amount of sunlight), land use policies, environmental impact assessments and grid connectivity among others.
It's also worth noting that Germany has been successful at integrating renewable energy into urban environments - so rooftops across Aschaffenburg's commercial buildings could also potentially host smaller scale solar installations.
In addition to these points, there are several other factors that need consideration when choosing a site for large scale solar PV installation such as proximity to power grids for easy transmission and availability of infrastructure for maintenance purposes.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 12th of January 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.
