Solar PV Analysis of Flensburg, Germany
In simple terms, the location at Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany is not ideal for generating energy from solar panels all year round. This is because the amount of electricity produced by a solar panel depends on how much sunlight it gets. The more sunlight it receives, the more electricity it can produce.
In this case, during summer and spring (when days are longer and sunnier), a solar panel in Flensburg can generate quite a good amount of electricity - 5.43 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and 4.16 kilowatt-hours per day in spring for every kilowatt of solar installed.
However, during autumn and winter (when days are shorter and less sunny), the amount of electricity that can be generated drops significantly to just 1.88 kilowatt-hours per day in autumn and even lower to only 0.88 kilowatt-hour per day in winter for each kilowatt installed.
That said, if you want to maximize your total yearly production from your solar panels at this location despite these seasonal variations, you should tilt them towards south at an angle of about 46 degrees.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could hinder your energy production from solar panels here go – one major factor would be cloud cover which is common due to its northern temperate zone location. Clouds block sunlight from reaching your panels thereby reducing their efficiency drastically especially during autumn/winter seasons when sunlight availability is already reduced due to shorter daylight hours.
Another potential issue could be snow accumulation on the panels during winter months which again blocks sunlight access; however given that winters aren't typically heavy snowfall periods here this might not pose as significant an issue but still worth considering while planning installation.
To overcome these issues:
1) You could consider installing adjustable mounting systems that allow changing tilt angles seasonally so they're always getting maximum possible sunshine.
2) For dealing with cloud cover, using high-efficiency solar panels that can perform better under diffused light conditions could help.
3) To prevent snow accumulation, panels can be installed at steeper angles or a regular cleaning schedule during winter months could be maintained.
Remember though, even with these measures the overall yearly production might still not match up to locations with more favorable sunlight conditions.
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 Flensburg
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.79, Longitude: 9.4619 (Flensburg, 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 46° South in Flensburg, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Flensburg, Germany (Lat/Long 54.79, 9.4619) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 46° 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 Flensburg, 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 Flensburg, Germany. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 46° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38° South in Summer | 57° South in Autumn | 68° South in Winter | 47° 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 Flensburg, 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 Flensburg, 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 Flensburg, Germany
Flensburg, Germany is located in the northern part of the country near the border with Denmark. The topography of this region is characterized by low-lying plains and gently rolling hills. It's also near the coast, providing it with a maritime climate.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are ideal as they allow for easier installation and maintenance while minimizing shading issues that can reduce power production. Given Flensburg's topography, there could be suitable locations in the surrounding plains for such an installation.
However, solar potential isn't just about topography; it also depends on factors like sunlight availability and local weather patterns. Northern Germany doesn't receive as much sunlight as southern regions due to its higher latitude. Still, Germany has been successful in implementing solar energy nationwide thanks to favorable policies and technological advancements that make PV systems more efficient even under less-than-optimal conditions.
Considering these factors together would give a comprehensive view of where might be best suited for large-scale solar PV around Flensburg. A detailed site assessment should be conducted by professionals to determine specific optimal locations based on all relevant factors including land use regulations and environmental considerations.
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: Monday 25th of March 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.
