Solar PV Analysis of Hagen, Germany
The location in Hagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany is decent for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, it's not perfect due to seasonal variations. In simple terms, a solar panel here would produce more electricity in summer and spring compared to autumn and winter.
Summer is the best time of year for solar power generation at this location with an expected output of 5.22 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed panels. Spring comes next with about 4.34 kWh/day per kW installed. Autumn and winter see significantly less production at 2.31 kWh/day and 1.14 kWh/day respectively.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round in Hagen, you should install them so they're tilted at an angle facing 44 degrees South - this optimizes their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year.
However, there could be some local factors that might reduce how much energy your panels can generate:
1) Weather: Hagen has a temperate maritime climate which means it experiences moderate levels of rainfall throughout the year - rain or cloudy weather can limit sunlight reaching your panels.
2) Shadows: Buildings or trees nearby may cast shadows on your panels which reduces their effectiveness.
To overcome these challenges:
1) For weather-related issues like clouds or rain - unfortunately there's not much you can do other than ensuring that your system is as efficient as possible when sunshine is available; using high-quality equipment can help here.
2) To avoid shadows obstructing sunlight from reaching your panels - try positioning them where they'll get maximum sun exposure without any obstruction if possible during installation planning stage itself.
In conclusion, while Hagen isn't perfect for solar power due to its climate and potential shadow issues, careful planning during installation can still allow you to generate significant amounts of clean 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 Hagen
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.3808, Longitude: 7.4506 (Hagen, 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 Hagen, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hagen, Germany (Lat/Long 51.3808, 7.4506) 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 Hagen, 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 Hagen, 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 | 54° 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 Hagen, 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 Hagen, 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 Hagen, Germany
Hagen, Germany is located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region. The topography of this area is characterized by a mix of hilly terrain and flatter areas, with the city itself situated in the Volme valley. It's surrounded by four mountain ranges: Sauerland to the south, Ruhr Heights to the north, Lenne Mountains to the east, and Bergisches Land to the west.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are usually preferred as they require less construction work and can accommodate more panels per unit area. Therefore, less hilly areas around Hagen would be more suitable for such projects.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar power also depends on factors other than topography - including land use restrictions and proximity to power grids or demand centers etc.
Specific sites within or near Hagen would need detailed assessment considering all these factors before determining their suitability 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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 7th of July 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.
