Solar PV Analysis of Willich, Germany
The location at Willich, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany is decent for generating solar energy year-round, but it's not perfect. Here's why:
Solar energy production depends on how much sunlight the solar panels receive. In summer and spring at this location, there's a good amount of sunlight with an average of 5.22 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 4.34 kWh per day in spring produced for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power capacity. This means that during these seasons, your solar panels would generate quite a bit of electricity.
However, in autumn and winter the amount of sunlight drops significantly to about 2.31 kWh/day in autumn and even lower to 1.14 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar power capacity. So while you can still produce some electricity during these months, it won't be as much as you could get during the sunnier parts of the year.
To maximize your total yearly production from your solar panels at this location, you'd want to tilt them towards the south at an angle of about 43 degrees - that way they'll catch as much sunlight as possible throughout all four seasons.
As far as local factors that might affect your ability to generate electricity from solar power here go:
Willich is located within Northern Temperate Zone where weather conditions can vary greatly depending on season with potential cloudy or rainy days which may reduce sunshine hours thus affecting overall productivity especially during Autumn/Winter times when daylight hours are naturally shorter compared to Summer/Spring times anyway.
However preventive measures can be taken such as installing more efficient or advanced PV systems designed specifically for low-light or diffused light conditions; ensuring regular maintenance/cleaning schedule for removing debris/dirt/snow etc off panel surfaces so they continue absorbing maximum available light; considering addition battery storage system so excess energy generated especially during peak Summer/Spring times can be stored and used during lower production Autumn/Winter times.
In conclusion, while Willich, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany is not the most ideal location for generating solar energy due to its varying weather conditions throughout the year; with appropriate installation/maintenance strategies and possibly advanced PV systems designed for such climates it is certainly possible to generate considerable amount of solar energy all year round at this location.
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 Willich
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.2672, Longitude: 6.5497 (Willich, 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 Willich, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Willich, Germany (Lat/Long 51.2672, 6.5497) 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 Willich, 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 Willich, 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 Willich, 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 Willich, 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 Willich, Germany
Willich, Germany is located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region and has a relatively flat topography with slight undulations. The area is known for its open landscapes, agricultural fields, and small forests. It's also not far from the Lower Rhine Plain which is one of the flattest regions in Germany.
Regarding solar PV installations, flat areas are generally more suitable as they allow maximum exposure to sunlight and easier installation of solar panels. Therefore, the agricultural fields around Willich could be potential sites for large-scale solar PV systems given their vastness and flat nature.
However, it's important to consider other factors such as local climate (solar irradiance), land use restrictions, proximity to power grids or infrastructures for energy storage/transmission when determining suitability for large-scale solar projects. As per data from Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) by European Commission Joint Research Centre; this region receives average annual solar radiation making it feasible for PV installations.
For specific site selection within or around Willich area professional consultation with local authorities & renewable energy experts would be necessary as there may be zoning laws or environmental considerations that need compliance.
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: Monday 3rd 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.
