Solar PV Analysis of Illingen, Germany
In simple terms, the location at Illingen, Germany is moderately suitable for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. The amount of energy that can be produced from solar panels depends on the amount of sunlight they receive, which varies with the seasons.
During summer, this location can generate a good amount of energy – about 5.59 kilowatt-hours per day for every kilowatt of installed solar power. This is because in summer days are longer and there's more sunlight available.
Autumn sees a decrease in production to about 2.81 kilowatt-hours per day due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight as compared to summer.
Winter has the least potential for solar power generation with only about 1.37 kilowatt-hours generated per day as days are shortest and sunlight is least intense during this season.
Spring sees an increase again with approximately 4.56 kilowatt-hours produced daily due to longer daylight hours and more intense sunlight than winter but still less than summer.
For maximum yearly production from your solar PV system at this location, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 42 degrees facing South. This will ensure they capture the maximum amount of available sunlight throughout different times of the year.
As far as environmental or local factors that could affect solar production go, it's important to consider weather conditions like overcast skies or snowfall which could reduce exposure to direct sunlight thus reducing energy production from your panels. Topographical features like mountains or tall buildings could also cast shadows on your panels reducing their efficiency.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Install a system that allows you to adjust the tilt angle of your panels throughout the year so they always face directly towards the sun.
2) Keep your panels clean especially after snowfall or dust storms.
3) If possible choose a site for installation where shadows from nearby structures or trees won't fall on your panels especially during peak sunlight hours.
4) You could also consider using more efficient but pricier solar panels that can generate more energy even under less than ideal 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 Illingen
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.95, Longitude: 8.9224 (Illingen, 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 Illingen, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Illingen, Germany (Lat/Long 48.95, 8.9224) 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 Illingen, 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 Illingen, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32° South in Summer | 52° South in Autumn | 62° South in Winter | 41° 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 Illingen, 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 Illingen, 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 Illingen, Germany
Illingen, Germany is located in the state of Baden-Württemberg and sits at an elevation of approximately 250 meters above sea level. The topography around Illingen is characterized by a mix of flat plains, rolling hills, and forested areas, typical for much of southern Germany.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations would likely be the flatter agricultural lands surrounding the town. These open fields provide ample space for solar panel installations without significant shading issues from hills or forests. Additionally, utilizing existing agricultural land could potentially minimize environmental impacts associated with clearing natural habitats for energy production.
However, it's important to note that suitability also depends on factors like local climate (sunlight hours), land ownership, proximity to electrical grids and infrastructure for energy transmission. Therefore a more detailed site-specific study would be needed to identify the best locations.
Germany has been very proactive in promoting renewable energy sources such as solar power through its Energiewende policy initiative. As such there may already be designated zones or incentives available that could facilitate large-scale solar PV projects in this region.
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: Friday 12th of January 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
