Solar PV Analysis of Nordhausen, Germany
The location in Nordhausen, Thuringia, Germany is not the most ideal for year-round energy generation via solar PV panels. However, it's still possible to generate a decent amount of electricity from solar power at this location.
During summer and spring, the energy output is good with 5.08kWh/day and 4.33kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar. This means that these are the best times to generate solar energy at this location since there's more sunlight available during these seasons.
In contrast, autumn and winter see a significant drop in output with only 2.26kWh/day and 0.99kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar due to shorter days and less sunlight.
For maximum efficiency throughout the year from fixed panel installations here, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43 degrees facing southwards. This will ensure that they catch as much light as possible over the course of a day throughout all seasons.
There could be some local factors which might affect your ability to generate power from your panels though:
1) Weather: The region sees quite a bit of cloud cover especially during autumn and winter which can reduce how much sun reaches your panels.
2) Environment: Depending on where exactly you're located within Nordhausen or Thuringia, surrounding buildings or trees may cast shadows on your panels reducing their effectiveness.
3) Snowfall: During winters heavy snowfall can cover up your panels blocking out sunlight completely until cleared off.
To counteract these issues:
- You could install tracking systems that follow the sun across its path in sky increasing overall exposure.
- Clear any obstacles like trees or other structures that might cast shadows onto the system before installation.
- Regularly check for debris or snow covering up your panels especially during Autumn & Winter months when leaves fall off trees & snowfall occurs frequently.
Remember though while Nordhausen isn't perfect for generating electricity through solar power, it's far from the worst and you can still generate a good amount of energy especially during summer & spring.
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 Nordhausen
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.4996, Longitude: 10.8038 (Nordhausen, 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 Nordhausen, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Nordhausen, Germany (Lat/Long 51.4996, 10.8038) 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 Nordhausen, 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 Nordhausen, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35° South in Summer | 54° South in Autumn | 65° 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 Nordhausen, 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 Nordhausen, 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 Nordhausen, Germany
Nordhausen is located in the state of Thuringia, Germany. The topography around Nordhausen is generally characterized by a mix of flat plains and rolling hills. There are also forested areas nearby, particularly to the south and southwest of the city.
The Harz Mountains are situated to the north, which could potentially cast shadows on solar panels during certain times of year or day depending on their specific location. However, there should be ample flat or gently sloping land in other directions that would be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
When considering sites for large-scale solar PV installations, it's important to consider not only topographical features but also factors such as local climate (including average hours of sunlight), proximity to power grids for easy transmission of electricity produced, potential environmental impacts and local planning regulations.
In this context, open fields with good sun exposure on the outskirts of Nordhausen or other nearby towns could be attractive locations for solar farms. Agricultural lands can sometimes serve dual purposes with agrivoltaic systems that combine crop production and electricity generation.
However, detailed site-specific assessments would need to be conducted before making any final decisions about where best to locate such facilities.
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: Tuesday 9th of April 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.
