Solar PV Analysis of Bergheim, Germany
The location in Bergheim, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is not ideal for generating solar energy year-round. However, it can still produce a decent amount of electricity during certain seasons.
In summer and spring, the sun shines more and you can expect to generate about 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and 4.43 kWh per day respectively for each kilowatt of solar panels installed. These are the best times to generate solar power at this location because the days are longer and there's more sunlight.
On the other hand, autumn and winter see less sunshine so you'd get lower output - about 2.42 kWh/day in autumn and just around 1.13 kWh/day in winter per kilowatt of installed solar panels.
If you're installing fixed panel installations here, it's best to tilt them at an angle of 43 degrees towards South to get as much sunlight as possible throughout the year.
There might be some local factors that could affect your ability to generate solar power here though:
1) Weather: This region experiences cloudy weather quite often which could reduce how much sunlight reaches your panels.
2) Environmental: Depending on where exactly your installation is located within Bergheim there may be buildings or trees that cast shadows over your panels reducing their exposure to sunlight.
3) Seasonal Changes: As mentioned earlier seasonal changes will impact how much energy you can produce with summer being most productive followed by spring then autumn with winter producing least amount of energy due its short days & long nights
To overcome these challenges:
- Consider using tracking systems instead of fixed ones so they move along with sun ensuring maximum exposure
- Make sure no objects obstructing direct sunlight reaching panels
- Regularly clean & maintain your system especially after harsh weather conditions such as heavy snowfall or storms
- Use battery storage systems so excess power generated during sunny periods can be stored for use during less sunny or cloudy periods.
Remember, while Bergheim may not be the most ideal location for solar power generation, with the right setup and maintenance you can still harness a significant amount of energy from the sun.
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 Bergheim
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.9424, Longitude: 6.6587 (Bergheim, 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 43° South in Bergheim, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bergheim, Germany (Lat/Long 50.9424, 6.6587) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Bergheim, 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 Bergheim, Germany. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34° South in Summer | 53° South in Autumn | 64° South in Winter | 43° 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 Bergheim, 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 Bergheim, 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 Bergheim, Germany
Bergheim is located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The topography around Bergheim is relatively flat with some rolling hills, it's part of the Lower Rhine Plain. This area has a mixture of urban areas and farmland.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are typically preferred due to ease of installation and maintenance. Therefore, unused farmlands or open industrial spaces could be suitable for such projects in this region.
However, it should be noted that the suitability for solar power also depends on other factors like local climate conditions (amount of sunlight), legal regulations, grid connectivity and economic feasibility which need to be evaluated thoroughly.
In terms of sunlight exposure specifically for Germany - southern parts generally receive more sun than northern parts but even in less sunny regions like North Rhine-Westphalia solar energy can still be harnessed effectively due to advancements in technology.
Also important is community acceptance - so locations which do not interfere with local life or nature reserves would also be a good choice.
A detailed site survey would provide an accurate assessment about the most suited areas nearby for large scale solar PV 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: Monday 27th of May 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.
