Solar PV Analysis of Oberhausen, Germany
The location at Oberhausen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany is decent but not perfect for generating energy via solar power year-round. The amount of electricity you can expect to get from each kilowatt of installed solar varies throughout the year. In summer, you can get about 5.22kWh per day and in spring it's slightly less with 4.34kWh per day which are good amounts of energy production. However, during autumn and winter the output drops significantly to 2.31kWh/day and 1.14 kWh/day respectively.
This means that the best times to generate solar power at this location would be in spring and summer when sunlight is more abundant compared to other seasons.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels towards south at an angle of 44 degrees would provide maximum energy production throughout the year.
As for environmental or weather factors that could hinder solar production in Oberhausen; it's located in a region known for its often cloudy skies especially during late autumn and winter months which could limit sunlight exposure on panels hence reducing their efficiency.
One way to mitigate these effects is by installing more efficient types of solar panels designed specifically for lower light conditions or using tracking systems that adjust panel angles throughout the day following sun’s movement ensuring maximum exposure even on cloudy days.
Also considering local regulations regarding building codes or any restrictions on height/space available for installations might be necessary before setting up your system as they may affect how much space you have available for your setup – thus potentially affecting overall productivity if not properly planned out initially.
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 Oberhausen
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5226, Longitude: 6.8378 (Oberhausen, 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 Oberhausen, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Oberhausen, Germany (Lat/Long 51.5226, 6.8378) 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 Oberhausen, 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 Oberhausen, 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 | 54° South in Autumn | 64° 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 Oberhausen, 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 Oberhausen, 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 Oberhausen, Germany
Oberhausen, Germany is located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region and is largely flat. It's part of the Ruhr area, which is characterized by its industrial history but also has a significant amount of green space. The city itself is urbanized with residential areas, commercial spaces, and some parks.
For large-scale solar PV installations nearby, several factors need to be considered:
1. Availability of open land: Large-scale solar projects require significant amounts of unshaded land that isn't being used for other purposes. In the Oberhausen area, this might include former industrial sites that have been decommissioned or agricultural lands.
2. Solar irradiation levels: While Germany as a whole doesn't receive as much sunlight as sunnier climates like Spain or California (USA), it still has a successful solar power industry thanks to government support and efficient technology.
3. Grid connection: For any large-scale energy project, proximity to the grid is important in order to deliver generated electricity effectively.
4. Local regulations and public acceptance: Support from local authorities and communities can significantly impact project feasibility.
Given these considerations, potential locations could include less densely populated surrounding areas such as Bottrop-Kirchhellen or Dinslaken-Hiesfeld where there may be more available land for such projects while still having access to necessary infrastructure.
Remember this analysis should be supplemented with detailed on-site assessments by professionals before making any investment decisions regarding solar PV installations.
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: Saturday 4th 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.
