Stralsund, a city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this coastal city experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.61 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.41 kWh/day. However, the output drops considerably during autumn to 1.90 kWh/day, and plummets to a mere 0.82 kWh/day in winter.

This stark contrast between seasons means that solar energy production in Stralsund is highly concentrated in the warmer months. From late spring through early autumn, the city's solar potential is at its peak, making it an excellent time for energy generation.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Stralsund, fixed panels should be installed at a 45-degree angle facing south. This tilt helps optimize energy capture across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar production in Stralsund:

1. Coastal Weather: Being a coastal city, Stralsund can experience frequent cloud cover and fog, particularly in autumn and winter. This can significantly reduce solar output during these seasons.
2. Short Winter Days: The city's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, further limiting solar potential in the colder months.
3. Snow and Ice: Winter precipitation can cover panels, temporarily reducing their efficiency.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions to improve performance during cloudy periods.
• Install automated cleaning systems or schedule regular manual cleaning to remove snow and debris.
• Implement a slight increase in panel tilt during winter to help snow slide off more easily.
• Consider supplementing with other renewable energy sources, such as wind power, to balance the seasonal variations in solar output.

While Stralsund's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper system design and maintenance can still make solar PV a viable part of the local energy mix, particularly during the more productive 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 Stralsund

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.304, Longitude: 13.0853 (Stralsund, 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:

Average 5.61kWh/day in Summer.

Average 1.90kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 0.82kWh/day in Winter.

Average 4.41kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 45° South in Stralsund, Germany

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Stralsund, Germany (Lat/Long 54.304, 13.0853) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 45° 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.

At Latitude: 54.304, Longitude: 13.0853, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 45° South

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Stralsund, 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 Stralsund, Germany. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 45° South tilt angle throughout the year.

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 Stralsund, 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 Stralsund, Germany.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Stralsund, Germany

The topography around Stralsund, Germany, is characterized by a relatively flat coastal landscape. Stralsund is located on the Baltic Sea coast in the northeastern part of Germany, in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The area is part of the North German Plain, which is known for its low-lying terrain and gentle slopes.

The immediate vicinity of Stralsund features a mix of urban areas, agricultural land, and coastal features. The city itself is situated on a small island connected to the mainland by bridges. To the east and south of Stralsund, you'll find mostly flat to gently rolling countryside, with occasional small hills and depressions. This area is primarily used for agriculture, with fields and meadows dominating the landscape.

To the west of Stralsund lies the island of Rügen, Germany's largest island, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Rügen has a more varied topography, with some areas of higher elevation, including chalk cliffs along its eastern coast. However, much of the island is still relatively flat or gently undulating.

For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would likely be found to the south and southeast of Stralsund. These regions offer several advantages for solar energy production:

1. They have large expanses of open, flat agricultural land that could potentially be repurposed or dual-used for solar farms.
2. The terrain is generally free from significant natural obstacles that might cast shadows on solar panels.
3. These areas are slightly further inland, which may reduce the risk of salt spray from the sea affecting the solar equipment.
4. The flat terrain makes construction and maintenance of large solar arrays more straightforward and cost-effective.

It's important to note that while the topography is suitable, other factors such as local regulations, grid connectivity, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the feasibility of large-scale solar PV projects in this region. Additionally, the relatively northern latitude of Stralsund means that solar irradiance levels are lower compared to more southern regions, which could impact the overall efficiency and economic viability of solar 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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.

©Copyright Aaron Robinson and profileSOLAR.com 2019-2025

Home
Solar: United States
Solar: Worldwide
Solar Panel Tilt Angle
Login

Privacy
Disclaimer
Impressum
Contact Us