Solar PV Analysis of Paks, Hungary
The location of Paks, Tolna County, Hungary, situated at 46.6177°N, 18.8616°E, presents both opportunities and challenges for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Temperate Zone location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which directly impact the efficiency of solar installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Paks varies considerably across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 6.84 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 4.82 kWh/day. Autumn sees a significant drop in production to 3.09 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at just 1.66 kWh/day.
These figures highlight the substantial difference between summer and winter production, with summer generating more than four times the energy of winter months. This variation is primarily due to the changing daylight hours and sun angle throughout the year.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Paks, Tolna County, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 39 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Ideal Generation Periods
The most favorable time for solar energy generation in Paks is from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. The peak production period typically occurs around the summer solstice in June when daylight hours are at their maximum.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several factors can potentially impact solar energy production in Paks:
- Snow accumulation in winter: Heavy snowfall can temporarily reduce panel efficiency by blocking sunlight.
- Cloud cover: Paks experiences varying levels of cloud cover throughout the year, which can affect solar radiation reaching the panels.
- Air pollution: Being an industrial area, Paks may experience periods of increased air pollution, potentially reducing solar irradiance.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these challenges and ensure optimal energy production, consider the following measures when installing solar panels in Paks:
- Use self-cleaning panels or implement regular cleaning schedules to remove snow and dust.
- Install panels at the recommended 39-degree tilt to facilitate natural snow sliding and maximize year-round production.
- Consider using high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions to mitigate the impact of cloud cover.
- Implement a robust monitoring system to quickly identify and address any performance issues.
By taking these factors into account and implementing appropriate measures, solar PV installations in Paks can effectively harness the available solar energy throughout the year, despite the seasonal variations and environmental challenges.
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 59 locations across Hungary. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Hungary by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Paks
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.6177, Longitude: 18.8616 (Paks, Hungary), 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 39° South in Paks, Hungary
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Paks, Hungary (Lat/Long 46.6177, 18.8616) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Paks, Hungary
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 Paks, Hungary. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 60° South in Winter | 39° 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 Paks, Hungary
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 Paks, Hungary.
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 Paks, Hungary
The area around Paks, Hungary, is characterized by a relatively flat landscape typical of the Great Hungarian Plain (Alföld). This region is known for its gently rolling terrain with minimal elevation changes. The town of Paks itself sits on the western bank of the Danube River, which is a prominent feature of the local topography.
To the west of Paks, the land gradually rises into low hills, forming part of the Tolna Hills (Tolnai-dombság). These hills are not particularly steep or high, but they do provide some variation to the otherwise flat terrain. East of the Danube, the landscape continues to be predominantly flat, with vast agricultural fields stretching for miles.
The soil in this region is generally fertile, consisting of loess deposits and alluvial sediments from the Danube River. This has made the area around Paks ideal for agriculture, which is a significant land use in the region.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, the flat terrain surrounding Paks offers several advantageous locations. The most suitable areas would likely be found in the open agricultural lands to the east and southeast of Paks. These areas benefit from:
- Minimal shading from natural features or buildings
- Good sun exposure throughout the day
- Easy access for construction and maintenance
- Proximity to existing electrical infrastructure due to the Paks Nuclear Power Plant
The agricultural fields to the west of Paks, before the terrain becomes hillier, could also be suitable for solar PV installations. However, care would need to be taken to balance energy production with preserving valuable agricultural land.
It's worth noting that while the hills to the west might seem appealing for solar installations, the flat areas are generally preferred as they allow for more uniform panel placement and easier construction. Additionally, the existing electrical infrastructure around Paks, due to the nuclear power plant, could potentially be leveraged for new solar projects, making areas closer to the town more attractive for development.
Hungary solar PV Stats as a country
Hungary ranks 30th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 2,131 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Hungary is generating 218 Watts from solar PV per capita (Hungary ranks 22nd in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Hungary?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Hungary. The Hungarian government offers a range of financial incentives and subsidies for businesses that install solar energy systems. These include grants, tax credits, and other forms of support. Additionally, the government has implemented a feed-in tariff system which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar energy.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Hungary? 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: Thursday 22nd of August 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.
