Solar PV Analysis of Westerburg, Germany
The location at Westerburg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany is decent for generating energy via solar PV year-round. However, it's not ideal because the amount of electricity that can be produced varies greatly depending on the season.
In simple terms, a solar panel in this location can produce an average of 5.13 units of electricity per day in summer, which is quite good. But this production drops significantly to just 2.42 units in autumn and even lower to 1.13 units in winter due to shorter days and less sunlight exposure. In spring, the production increases again to 4.43 units per day as daylight hours increase.
So if you're planning on using solar power at this location, you'll get the most out of your system during summer and spring when daylight hours are longer and there's more sunlight available.
It's also important to note that for a fixed panel installation at this location the best angle to tilt panels is 43 degrees towards south direction so as they face directly towards sun maximizing total year-round production from solar PV.
As far as environmental or weather factors are concerned that could hinder solar production at this location: cloudy weather conditions common in Germany especially during autumn and winter seasons might restrict direct sunlight reaching your panels thereby reducing their efficiency significantly.
To overcome these challenges when installing solar panels here: firstly ensure they're tilted correctly (at about 43 degrees facing South) for maximum exposure; secondly consider using high-quality panels with excellent low-light performance; thirdly regular maintenance like cleaning off dust or snow from panels will help them perform optimally throughout the year; finally having a backup power source would be beneficial especially during those periods where there’s less sunshine (autumn & winter).
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 Westerburg
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.5562, Longitude: 7.9768 (Westerburg, 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 Westerburg, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Westerburg, Germany (Lat/Long 50.5562, 7.9768) 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 Westerburg, 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 Westerburg, 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 | 63° 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 Westerburg, 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 Westerburg, 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 Westerburg, Germany
Westerburg is located in the Westerwald region of Germany, which is characterized by low mountain range terrain. The area around Westerburg is largely hilly and forested with several valleys and plateaus. It's not a flat landscape, but rather undulating with some steep slopes.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas that are relatively flat or have gentle slopes facing towards the south would be most suitable to maximize sun exposure throughout the day. This might include open fields or cleared lands, as well as rooftops of large buildings in urban areas.
However, it's important to note that although topography plays a significant role in determining suitability for solar PV installation, other factors such as local climate conditions (amount of sunlight), land use regulations and environmental constraints also need to be considered.
In terms of specific nearby locations that might be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations based on their topography alone:
1. The Nister Valley to the north-west of Westerburg could potentially offer some opportunities due its flatter terrain compared to surrounding areas.
2. To the east and west of Westerburg there are also some flatter agricultural lands which could potentially accommodate ground-mounted solar arrays.
3. In terms of built-up areas, rooftops in towns like Hachenburg or Montabaur could potentially host rooftop solar PV systems.
Again though - while these suggestions are based on topographical considerations alone - any actual decisions about where best to install large-scale Solar PV would need to take into account a wide range of other factors too – including those mentioned earlier (sunlight levels; planning / environmental permissions etc.).
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: Sunday 7th 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.
