Solar PV Analysis of Lemgo, Germany
The location at Lemgo, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany is in the Northern Temperate Zone and it's fairly good for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, its effectiveness varies depending on the season.
During summer, you can expect to generate around 5.11 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity. This makes summer an ideal time for solar energy production due to longer daylight hours and more intense sunlight.
In autumn, this output drops significantly to about 2.13 kWh/day per kW of installed solar because there are fewer daylight hours and less intense sunlight compared to summer.
Winter sees the lowest output with only about 0.98 kWh/day per kW of installed solar due to shorter days and lower sun intensity as well as potential snow cover on panels which could block sunlight.
Spring sees a significant increase in output again up to about 4.21 kWh/day per kW of installed solar thanks mainly due to increasing day length and sun intensity as we move towards summer again.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 44 degrees facing south would maximize total year-round production from your PV system because it would help capture more direct sunlight throughout different times of the year especially when the sun is lower in sky during winter months.
As far as environmental or local factors that could impede solar production here: cloudy weather or foggy conditions could decrease PV system performance by blocking direct sunlight; snowfall may cover panels reducing their efficiency until cleared; dust or bird droppings can also accumulate over time decreasing panel efficiency so regular cleaning may be needed; shading from nearby buildings or trees could also reduce panel exposure to direct sunlight so careful site selection is important when installing your PV system.
Preventative measures you can take include installing your panels where they won't be shaded by nearby structures or trees, setting up a regular cleaning schedule for your panels especially after snowfalls, and installing sensors that can adjust the tilt angle of your panels throughout the year to capture more sunlight.
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 834 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 Lemgo
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.0302, Longitude: 8.8957 (Lemgo, 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 Lemgo, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lemgo, Germany (Lat/Long 52.0302, 8.8957) 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 Lemgo, 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 Lemgo, 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 | 55° South in Autumn | 65° South in Winter | 44° 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 Lemgo, 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 Lemgo, 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 Lemgo, Germany
Lemgo, Germany is located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region and is characterized by a predominantly flat landscape with some gentle hills. The region also has several open fields and farmlands, interspersed with forests.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are generally most suitable as they allow for maximum exposure to sunlight and ease of installation. Therefore, the surrounding farmlands around Lemgo could be potentially suitable for such projects. However, it's important to note that suitability would also depend on other factors like local regulations, land ownership status, proximity to power grids etc.
The area's climate should also be considered - while Germany does have a strong solar industry despite less sun than more equator-adjacent countries (thanks to government support), the specific local weather patterns in Lemgo may affect the efficiency of solar panels.
Finally, it's always recommended that any potential site undergoes a detailed feasibility study before proceeding with large-scale solar PV projects.
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: Thursday 16th of May 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
