Based on the given data, Diepholz in Lower Saxony, Germany is a decent location for producing solar energy year-round. However, its effectiveness varies greatly depending on the season.
In simple terms, the amount of electricity you can generate from solar panels depends on how much sunlight they get. The more sun they get, the more electricity they produce. In Diepholz during summer and spring - when days are longer and there's usually more sunshine - your solar panels would be quite effective (generating 5.11kWh/day per kW in summer and 4.21kWh/day per kW in spring).
However, during autumn and especially winter - when days are shorter with less sunshine - your panels won't be as productive (producing only 2.13kWh/day per kW in autumn and even less at 0.98kWh/day per kW in winter).
It's also important to note that for optimal year-round production at this location, your solar panels should ideally be tilted towards south at an angle of about 44 degrees.
As for potential local factors that might impede solar production: Germany is known for its cloudy weather which could limit sunlight exposure to your panels thereby reducing their efficiency; snowfall during winter can cover up the panels making them unable to absorb sunlight until cleared off; trees or buildings around might block or cast shadows onto your panel installation hindering their performance too.
To mitigate these issues: installing a system to automatically adjust panel angles based on seasonality can help maximize exposure to sunlight; regular maintenance including clearing off snow or debris from panel surfaces ensures unobstructed absorption of sunlight; if possible choosing an installation site with minimal obstructions like tall trees or buildings nearby would also improve overall effectiveness of your solar 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 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 Diepholz
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.6081, Longitude: 8.3601 (Diepholz, 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 Diepholz, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Diepholz, Germany (Lat/Long 52.6081, 8.3601) 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 Diepholz, 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 Diepholz, 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 |
---|---|---|---|
36° South in Summer | 55° South in Autumn | 66° South in Winter | 45° 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 Diepholz, 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 Diepholz, 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 Diepholz, Germany
Diepholz, Germany is located in the Lower Saxony region and is characterized by a flat to slightly hilly terrain. The topography mainly consists of plains with some low-lying areas. There are also several bodies of water around Diepholz, including rivers and lakes.
As for large-scale solar PV installations, they require vast open spaces that receive ample sunlight throughout the year. Considering the topography around Diepholz, flat plains would be ideal for such installations as they provide unobstructed exposure to sunlight.
In addition to this, areas that have fewer trees or buildings will help minimize shading on the solar panels thereby increasing their efficiency. Also, locations closer to infrastructure like roads and power grids would be advantageous as it reduces transportation and connection costs.
However, it's important to note that local regulations and environmental considerations should also be factored into selecting sites for large-scale solar PV projects. Therefore a detailed feasibility study involving site inspections and consultations with local authorities would be necessary before deciding on specific locations for installation.
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: Wednesday 12th of June 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.