Solar PV Analysis of Griesheim, Germany
The location at Griesheim, Hesse, Germany is decent for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) panels throughout the year. However, it's not perfect as the amount of electricity that can be produced varies greatly depending on the season.
In summer and spring, you'll get a good amount of solar energy - around 5.55 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 4.57 kWh/day in spring from each kilowatt installed. This makes these seasons ideal times to generate solar power at this location.
However, during autumn and winter the output drops significantly to only 2.59 kWh/day and 1.24 kWh/day respectively due to fewer daylight hours and lower sun angles.
To maximize your total yearly production from solar PV panels at this location, you should tilt them towards south by about 42 degrees - this angle will allow them to capture maximum sunlight over the course of a year.
As far as environmental or weather factors are concerned that could affect solar production here: The region experiences temperate seasonal climate which means winters can be cloudy with less sunshine hours; reducing potential for solar generation during those months. Additionally, occasional snowfall could cover up panels disrupting their ability to absorb sunlight effectively.
To mitigate these issues:
1) Panels should be installed in an area where they would get unobstructed sunlight most part of the day.
2) Regular cleaning & maintenance especially during fall when leaves might accumulate on panel surface;
3) During winter months when there is snowfall expected one could consider installing mechanisms that help remove snow off panel surface or manually clear them off if it’s safe & feasible;
4) Using advanced technologies like bifacial panels which can absorb light from both sides may also help increase efficiency;
5) Lastly monitoring system performance regularly will ensure any issues are identified early leading to minimal disruption in power generation.
So while Griesheim, Hesse isn't the ideal location for solar PV generation due to its seasonal variations, with the right installation techniques and regular maintenance, it can still be a viable option.
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 Griesheim
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 49.8608, Longitude: 8.5831 (Griesheim, 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 Griesheim, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Griesheim, Germany (Lat/Long 49.8608, 8.5831) 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 Griesheim, 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 Griesheim, 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 Griesheim, 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 Griesheim, 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 Griesheim, Germany
Griesheim, Germany is located in the state of Hesse and lies within the Rhine-Main region. The topography around Griesheim is generally flat with some gentle rolling hills. It is part of the Upper Rhine Plain, an area known for its fertile soils and mild climate.
Given this topography, large scale solar PV systems could be potentially installed in several areas around Griesheim. Flat land areas are ideal for such installations as they allow for maximum sun exposure and easy installation and maintenance of solar panels.
The agricultural fields surrounding Griesheim could be suitable locations if dual-use farming practices (agrivoltaics) were considered, where crops can be grown under solar panels. This would need to consider potential impacts on local farming practices.
Another potential location could be industrial or commercial rooftops in the city itself or nearby cities like Darmstadt or Frankfurt am Main. These urban areas have a high energy demand that could benefit from locally produced renewable energy.
However, it's important to note that suitability for large scale solar PV doesn't solely depend on topography but also includes factors such as local climate (solar irradiation levels), land use restrictions, grid connectivity and accessibility among others.
In terms of sunlight availability specifically in this region; Germany overall doesn't get as much sunlight compared to countries closer to equator but still has made significant progress with solar power generation due to favorable government policies and public support towards renewable energy sources.
A detailed feasibility study considering all these factors would provide a more accurate assessment of suitable sites for large-scale solar PV installations near Griesheim.
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: Friday 24th 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.
