Solar PV Analysis of Weimar, Germany
The location at Weimar, Thuringia, Germany is not ideal for generating energy via solar PV year-round due to its position in the Northern Temperate Zone. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt of installed solar varies greatly with each season.
In summer, you can expect to generate about 5.14kWh/day per kW of installed solar. This decreases significantly in autumn to around 2.35kWh/day and even further in winter to only 1.09kWh/day. Spring sees a notable increase again with an output of about 4.25 kWh/day.
Therefore, the best times for producing solar energy at this location are during the spring and summer months when sunlight is more abundant compared to autumn and winter months where days are shorter and there's less sunlight.
If you're planning on installing a fixed panel system here, tilting your panels at an angle of 43 degrees South will maximize your total year-round production from solar PV.
However, some environmental or weather factors could potentially hinder your solar production at this location:
1) Cloudy Weather: As Weimar is located in Northern Europe which often experiences cloudy weather especially during autumn and winter months; this could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels thus reducing their efficiency.
Preventative Measure: While you cannot control the weather conditions, using high-efficiency panels that perform well under low light conditions might help mitigate these losses somewhat.
2) Snowfall: In winters snowfall can cover up your panels blocking sunlight entirely rendering them useless until cleared off.
Preventative Measure: Regularly clearing snow off from your panels will help ensure they continue producing energy efficiently; automated cleaning systems are also available which do this job without human intervention required.
3) Dust & Debris: Accumulation over time can also block sunlight reducing efficiency
Preventative Measure: Regular cleaning/maintenance should be carried out ensuring your panels are free from dust and debris.
To sum up, while Weimar may not be the most ideal location for solar PV due to seasonal variations in sunlight and potential weather-related issues, with appropriate measures like optimal panel positioning and regular maintenance, it's still possible to harness solar energy effectively.
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 Weimar
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.9839, Longitude: 11.3231 (Weimar, 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 Weimar, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Weimar, Germany (Lat/Long 50.9839, 11.3231) 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 Weimar, 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 Weimar, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34° South in Summer | 53° 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 Weimar, 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 Weimar, 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 Weimar, Germany
Weimar, Germany is located in the region of Thuringia and is characterized by a mix of flat plains and hilly areas. The city itself lies in a basin and is surrounded by various hills such as the Ettersberg to the north. The Ilm river flows through Weimar, contributing to its fertile lands.
When it comes to large-scale solar PV installations, flat open areas are usually preferred due to ease of installation and maintenance, as well as optimal sun exposure. Therefore, the plains around Weimar would be more suitable for this purpose than the hilly or forested regions.
However, it's important to note that large-scale solar projects also require consideration of other factors such as local climate conditions (amount of sunlight), proximity to power grids for easy transmission, potential environmental impacts etc. For instance, although Thuringia isn't Germany's sunniest region like Baden-Württemberg or Bavaria in southern part of country , it still has decent solar potential given Germany's overall success with renewable energy.
In terms of specific locations around Weimar that might be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations - one could consider agricultural lands that are not being used intensively or brownfield sites (previously developed lands that are not currently in use). It would also be beneficial if these locations were close to existing infrastructure like roads and power lines which can facilitate easier setup and connection to grid.
Ultimately though detailed feasibility studies need conducted on any proposed site before proceeding with development.
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: Saturday 6th of July 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.
