Solar PV Analysis of Leonberg, Germany
Leonberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany is a decent location for solar power generation throughout the year. However, it's not equally productive in all seasons.
During summer and spring, solar panels can produce quite a bit of electricity - 5.59 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of solar panels installed in the summer and 4.56 kWh/day in the spring. These are the best times to generate solar energy at this location.
In autumn and winter though, production drops significantly due to shorter days and less sunlight - down to 2.81 kWh/day in autumn and just 1.37 kWh/day in winter.
To get the most out of your solar panels year-round at this location, you should tilt them towards south at an angle of 42 degrees. This will maximize their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year.
As for potential obstacles to producing solar energy here: Leonberg is located within Northern Temperate Zone which means it experiences significant seasonal changes including less sun during winter months due to shorter daylight hours as well as potential cloud cover or snowfall that could block sunlight from reaching the panels.
Preventative measures that can be taken include installing systems that automatically adjust panel angles throughout different seasons (to ensure they're always facing directly towards sun), incorporating designs that allow snow slide off easily or setting up regular maintenance plans for removing any debris or obstructions from panels promptly ensuring maximum sunlight absorption.
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 828 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 Leonberg
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.794, Longitude: 9.0164 (Leonberg, 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 Leonberg, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Leonberg, Germany (Lat/Long 48.794, 9.0164) 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 Leonberg, 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 Leonberg, 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 | 51° 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 Leonberg, 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 Leonberg, 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 Leonberg, Germany
Leonberg, Germany is located in the state of Baden-Württemberg and is characterized by a hilly landscape with forests, fields, and meadows. The city sits in a valley surrounded by hills of varying heights. To the north lies Strohgäu, which consists mostly of fertile farmland. To the south are more densely forested areas including Engelberg.
As for solar PV potential, it would depend on several factors such as sun exposure (solar irradiation), land availability, local regulations and infrastructure connectivity. Generally speaking though:
1) Open spaces like farmlands or unused flatlands around Leonberg could be good candidates for large scale solar PV installations as they provide ample space with good sunlight exposure.
2) Rooftops in urban areas can also be used for installing smaller scale solar panels. This is especially true for industrial buildings that often have large flat roofs.
3) South-facing slopes on hills might also be suitable if they are not too steep or heavily forested.
However, any decision to install a large-scale solar PV system should take into account various environmental considerations (like impact on local wildlife or agriculture), social acceptance and economic feasibility apart from just geographical suitability.
Please note that this analysis is based purely on topographical information and does not consider other critical factors like local climate conditions (rainfall patterns/cloud cover etc.), legal restrictions/regulations etc., which could significantly affect the viability of 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 20th of June 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.
