Solar PV Analysis of Bad Salzuflen, Germany
The location at Bad Salzuflen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany is generally decent for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, it's not ideal all year round. The amount of electricity you can generate from solar power changes with the seasons.
In simple terms: In summer and spring, you'll get a good amount of energy - about 5.11 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 4.21 kWh/day in spring for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This means during these times your panels will be quite productive.
But in autumn and winter, things aren't as great - you'll only get around 2.13 kWh/day in autumn and just under 1 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar panels. So during these seasons your panels won't produce as much electricity.
To make sure your panels work best all-year-round at this location, they should be tilted at an angle facing south by about 44 degrees from horizontal level.
There might be local factors that could affect how much sunlight hits your panels though – like buildings or trees casting shadows on them or dust and bird droppings blocking sunlight getting through to them – which would reduce their efficiency.
If there are tall structures nearby that could cast shadows on the panel installation area then choosing a different site would be beneficial if possible; otherwise trimming back any overhanging tree branches may help improve exposure to sunlight especially during lower sun angles outside of summer months.
Also keep an eye out for dust build-up or bird droppings on your solar panel surface because they can block some sunlight too; regular cleaning can help ensure maximum light absorption by the PV cells within the panel thus maintaining optimal performance levels throughout each season where feasible to do so given weather conditions such as rain or snowfall occurrences etcetera which may limit accessibility for maintenance purposes occasionally but shouldn’t pose significant issues overall.
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 834 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 Bad Salzuflen
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.0666, Longitude: 8.7641 (Bad Salzuflen, 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 44° South in Bad Salzuflen, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bad Salzuflen, Germany (Lat/Long 52.0666, 8.7641) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 44° 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 Bad Salzuflen, 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 Bad Salzuflen, Germany. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 44° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35° South in Summer | 55° South in Autumn | 65° South in Winter | 44° 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 Bad Salzuflen, 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 Bad Salzuflen, 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 Bad Salzuflen, Germany
Bad Salzuflen is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The topography of this area is generally flat to gently rolling with some slightly hilly regions. It's part of the Ravensberg Basin, an area characterized by plains and low hills.
The region has a moderate climate with average annual sunshine hours ranging from 1500-1700 hours which is relatively lower compared to southern Germany but still feasible for solar energy production.
Large-scale solar PV installations require large open spaces that are not shaded and have good sun exposure throughout the year. In Bad Salzuflen, suitable areas could include:
1. Agricultural lands: These usually offer large open spaces that can be used for solar farm installations without significant shading issues.
2. Industrial zones: Installing solar panels on roofs of factories or using unused industrial land for ground-mounted systems can be another option.
3. Brownfield sites: These are previously developed lands that are not currently in use; they can provide ample space for large-scale solar projects without encroaching on natural or agricultural landscapes.
4. Alongside transportation routes such as highways or railways: These long stretches of land receive plenty of sunlight and would minimize impact on residential areas and farmland.
However, it's important to note that while these locations might be physically suited to hosting a PV installation, other factors like local zoning laws, environmental considerations (e.g., impact on wildlife), grid connection availability and social acceptance need to be considered before deciding on a site.
A detailed feasibility study including irradiance assessment should also be conducted before installing any large scale Solar PV system.
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: Thursday 2nd of May 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
