Solar PV Analysis of Viersen, Germany
The location at Viersen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany is not ideal for year-round solar energy production, but it can still produce a significant amount of electricity. The output varies greatly throughout the year due to seasonal changes in daylight hours and weather conditions.
In summer and spring, the solar panels can generate quite a good amount of electricity - 5.22kWh/day per kW installed in summer and 4.34kWh/day in spring. These are the best times of year to generate solar power at this location because there's more sunlight available.
However, during autumn and especially winter, the output decreases significantly - down to only 2.31kWh/day in autumn and even lower at 1.14kWh/day in winter due to shorter days with less sunlight.
For fixed panel installations here, tilting them at an angle of 43 degrees towards south will maximize total annual production from your solar PV system as it aligns better with where the sun travels across the sky during different seasons.
As for local factors that could impede solar production: Germany's climate is temperate seasonal which means it experiences moderate to heavy cloud cover throughout much of the year which reduces sunlight exposure on panels; winters can be particularly overcast or snowy blocking sunlight completely; trees or buildings may also cast shadows on your panels reducing their efficiency further.
To counter these challenges: Ensure your panels are placed where they'll get maximum unobstructed sun exposure (considering potential shading issues); consider using microinverters or power optimizers that help maintain system performance when some panels are shaded; regular cleaning especially after snowfall ensures they capture as much light as possible; finally consider installing additional capacity so you have enough generation during darker months - just make sure you have enough space and budget for doing so!
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 Viersen
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.2498, Longitude: 6.3643 (Viersen, 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 Viersen, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Viersen, Germany (Lat/Long 51.2498, 6.3643) 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 Viersen, 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 Viersen, 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 | 64° 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 Viersen, 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 Viersen, 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 Viersen, Germany
Viersen, Germany, is located in the Lower Rhine Plain, a region characterized by its mostly flat terrain. The area does have some minor hills and valleys but overall it's relatively level. This type of topography can be advantageous for solar PV installations due to the ease of installation on flat lands.
The suitability of an area for large-scale solar PV depends not only on the topography but also on factors like sunlight availability, land use restrictions, proximity to power grids and local regulations regarding renewable energy projects.
Given these considerations, open fields or industrial zones around Viersen could potentially be suitable locations for large-scale solar PV installations. These areas typically have fewer shading issues (which can reduce the efficiency of solar panels) and might face less resistance from local residents compared to projects located closer to residential areas.
However, specific site evaluations would need to be conducted by professionals in order to determine the most suitable locations for such a project within this region. They would take into account all necessary factors including environmental impact assessments and potential grid connectivity challenges among others.
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: Wednesday 12th of June 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.
