Solar PV Analysis of Kreuzau, Germany
The location in Kreuzau, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany is decent for generating solar energy year-round. However, it's not perfect because the amount of electricity produced from solar panels changes with each season.
In simple terms, a solar panel at this location can produce around 5.13 units of electricity each day during the summer and about 4.43 units in spring per unit of installed solar capacity. These are the best times to generate solar power here as there is more sunlight available.
During autumn and winter though, production drops quite a bit due to fewer hours of sunlight and less intense sun rays. You'd get around 2.42 units every day in autumn and only about 1.13 units daily in winter per unit of installed solar capacity.
To maximize total yearly production from your panels at this location you should tilt them at an angle that faces towards the south by approximately 43 degrees.
Certain environmental or weather factors could potentially hinder how much energy your panels produce here too - such as overcast skies or snowfall which are common during winter months in this part of Germany; these conditions block sunlight from reaching your panels thereby reducing their efficiency.
You can take some measures to help ensure greater energy production despite these challenges though - like installing devices that automatically adjust the tilt angle of your panels throughout the year to capture optimum sunlight or using heating elements to melt snow off your panels quickly so they're not blocked from absorbing light for long periods.
Also consider setting up systems that clean dust off your panels regularly as dust accumulation might reduce their efficiency over time especially during drier months when there's less rainfall to naturally wash them clean.
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 Kreuzau
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.7466, Longitude: 6.482 (Kreuzau, 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 43° South in Kreuzau, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kreuzau, Germany (Lat/Long 50.7466, 6.482) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Kreuzau, 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 Kreuzau, Germany. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34° South in Summer | 53° 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 Kreuzau, 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 Kreuzau, 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 Kreuzau, Germany
Kreuzau, Germany is located in the western part of the country, near the border with Belgium and Netherlands. The topography around Kreuzau is largely flat to hilly terrain. It's situated in a region known as the Eifel, which is characterized by low mountains and plateaus interspersed with valleys and rivers.
The area has a mix of forested areas, farmland, residential zones and industrial areas. The Rhine River flows nearby to the east.
Regarding suitability for large-scale solar PV installations:
1. Open Farmlands: Large expanses of farmland could be potential sites for solar farms if they are not being used intensively for agriculture or if dual-use (agrivoltaics) can be implemented.
2. Industrial Areas: Unused portions of industrial land or rooftops of factories could also serve as locations for solar panels.
3. Brownfield Sites: These are previously developed lands that may have become vacant or derelict; these sites might also be suitable given appropriate cleanup and preparation.
4. Flat Rooftops: In urbanized areas like towns or cities nearby, flat rooftops on commercial buildings can provide substantial space for smaller scale installations that together add up.
It's important to note that while this general assessment suggests some potentially suitable places based on topography alone, actual suitability would need detailed investigation taking into account factors such as local climate conditions (solar irradiation levels), land ownership rights and zoning regulations among others.
Furthermore, Germany has a relatively high latitude which leads to lower sun angles compared to regions closer to equator - this influences efficiency of PV systems but does not rule out their use entirely as evidenced by successful deployments in similar climates elsewhere.
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: Thursday 23rd 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.
