Solar PV Analysis of Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm, Germany
Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Germany, situated at latitude 48.5281 and longitude 11.5078, lies within the northern temperate zone and possesses a considerable potential for solar power generation. The city's geographical positioning allows for significant sunlight exposure throughout the year, enabling efficient solar energy production.
During summer months, each kilowatt of installed solar has the capacity to generate approximately 5.75 kWh per day on average. As daylight hours decrease in autumn and winter seasons, this figure decreases to an average of 2.78 kWh/day in autumn and further drops to about 1.46 kWh/day in winter due to reduced sunlight availability during these periods.
With the arrival of spring season comes increased daylight hours resulting in higher energy production figures; a daily average of around 4.59 kWh per kW is achievable during this time.
The optimal tilt angle for fixed panel installations at this location is approximately 41 degrees facing southwards which maximizes exposure towards incoming sunlight throughout different times of the year.
However, it's worth noting that local weather conditions such as cloud cover or heavy rainfall can influence solar power generation efficiency by limiting sun exposure on panels but their impact should not be too substantial given Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm's overall favorable climatic conditions for solar power production.
In terms of environmental factors impacting efficiency levels, any physical obstructions like tall buildings or trees could potentially cast shadows onto installed panels thereby reducing their effectiveness; proper site assessment before installation can help identify such issues early on so they can be mitigated appropriately.
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 Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 48.5281, Longitude: 11.5078 (Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm, 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 41° South in Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm, Germany (Lat/Long 48.5281, 11.5078) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 41° 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 Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm, 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 Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm, Germany. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 41° 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 Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm, 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 Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm, 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 Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm, Germany
The topography around Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Germany is gently rolling hills with some areas of flat land. Areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV are those areas with the highest levels of direct sunlight and relatively low amounts of shade from trees or other obstacles. The flatland areas are likely to offer the best conditions for large-scale 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: Thursday 27th of July 2023
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.
