Solar PV Analysis of Rheinfelden, Germany
Rheinfelden, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany is an okay location for generating solar energy year-round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt of solar panels installed changes with the seasons. In simpler terms, think about how much sunlight you get in different times of the year - more in summer and less in winter.
During summer, you can expect to generate around 5.74 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have installed. This drops to 3.02 kWh/day in autumn and even lower to 1.45 kWh/day during winter when days are shorter and there's less sunlight overall. However, it increases again to 4.89 kWh/day during spring as we head back towards longer days.
This means that if you're planning on using solar energy at this location, the best times would be during spring and summer when there's plenty of sunlight available.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at a 41-degree angle facing South will provide the maximum amount of electricity production throughout the year.
As for local factors that could affect your ability to produce solar energy here: Rheinfelden is located near Black Forest mountains which might cause some shading issues depending on your exact location within Rheinfelden or nearby areas; hence potentially reducing your overall production levels from what was mentioned above if shading occurs over your panels particularly during morning or afternoon hours when sun is not directly overhead but rather low on horizon behind these mountains.
To prevent this issue from affecting your total output too much, it would be ideal to install your solar array where it has clear access to direct sunlight throughout the day without any obstructions such as trees or buildings blocking its view especially towards southern direction where sun travels most part across sky over course of a day here given our northern hemisphere latitude position; therefore ideally not at foot of a mountain slope facing north. Additionally, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels can also help to ensure maximum energy production by removing any dirt or debris that could block sunlight from reaching the panels.
Weather-wise, Rheinfelden does experience some cloud cover and rain throughout the year which can reduce solar output on those days but overall this is not a significant impediment as even under cloudy conditions modern solar panels can still produce electricity albeit at reduced levels compared to full sun conditions.
In conclusion, while Rheinfelden is not an ideal location for generating solar energy due to its seasonal variations in sunlight and potential shading issues from nearby mountains, with careful planning and installation it's certainly possible to generate a substantial amount of electricity using solar power here especially during spring and summer months.
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 Rheinfelden
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.5739, Longitude: 7.7867 (Rheinfelden, 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 Rheinfelden, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rheinfelden, Germany (Lat/Long 47.5739, 7.7867) 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 Rheinfelden, 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 Rheinfelden, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31° South in Summer | 51° South in Autumn | 61° South in Winter | 40° 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 Rheinfelden, 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 Rheinfelden, 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 Rheinfelden, Germany
Rheinfelden is located in the southwest of Germany, near the borders with France and Switzerland. The topography of this region is characterized by a combination of flat plains and hilly areas. The Rhine River flows through Rheinfelden, providing a relatively flat river valley that's surrounded by more elevated land.
The area has a moderate climate with sufficient sun exposure which makes it suitable for solar PV installations. However, the specific suitability for large-scale solar PV installations would depend on several factors such as local regulations, availability of large open spaces or rooftops, grid connectivity, etc.
In general terms:
1) Flat plains: These areas are typically well-suited to large-scale ground-mounted solar farms because they require less work to prepare the land and are easier to install than in hilly terrain.
2) Rooftops: In urban or industrial areas like Rheinfelden city center or nearby towns like Lörrach or Basel (Switzerland), there could be potential for rooftop solar installations on larger buildings or industrial facilities.
3) Unused lands: If there are any unused lands around Rheinfelden - old industrial sites, abandoned agricultural fields etc., these could also be suitable locations for setting up large-scale solar PV projects.
However, it is important to conduct a detailed feasibility study including aspects such as sun irradiance levels throughout the year, environmental impact assessment and grid connectivity before deciding on specific locations for 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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 12th of March 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.
