Szombathely, Vas County, Hungary, situated at latitude 47.2278 and longitude 16.618, presents a mixed scenario for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this city experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.61 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, yielding 4.63 kWh/day. Autumn sees a considerable drop to 2.98 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at just 1.50 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Szombathely is most suitable for solar energy production from late spring through early autumn. The long summer days and higher sun angle during this period contribute significantly to the overall annual energy yield.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Szombathely, Vas County, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 40 degrees facing south. This angle helps optimize energy capture across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.

Environmental Considerations

While Szombathely doesn't face extreme environmental challenges for solar production, there are some factors to consider:

• Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
• Occasional fog and overcast days, particularly in autumn and winter, may impact production

To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off. Additionally, using high-quality, anti-reflective coatings on panels can help maximize light absorption on cloudy days.

Conclusion

Overall, Szombathely offers a reasonable location for solar PV installations, with excellent summer performance compensating for the weaker winter months. By optimizing panel angle and taking preventative measures against snow and low-light conditions, solar energy can be a viable option for supplementing electricity needs in this Hungarian city.

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 Szombathely

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.2278, Longitude: 16.618 (Szombathely, 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 40° South in Szombathely, Hungary

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Szombathely, Hungary (Lat/Long 47.2278, 16.618) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 40° 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 Szombathely, 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 Szombathely, Hungary. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 40° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
31° South in Summer	50° South in Autumn	61° South in Winter	40° 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 Szombathely, 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 Szombathely, Hungary.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Szombathely, Hungary

The area surrounding Szombathely, Hungary, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque landscape. Located in the western part of the country, this region sits at the edge of the Little Hungarian Plain and the foothills of the Alps. The topography is generally flat to gently rolling, with occasional hills and low mountains in the distance. To the east and northeast of Szombathely, the terrain is predominantly flat, forming part of the Little Hungarian Plain. This area is marked by fertile agricultural lands, with vast stretches of fields and meadows. The flat terrain gradually gives way to more undulating landscape as one moves westward towards the Austrian border.

Western Hills and Forests

To the west and southwest of Szombathely, the landscape becomes more varied. Here, visitors can find the Kőszeg Mountains, a range of low hills covered in dense forests. These hills are part of the easternmost reaches of the Alps and provide a stark contrast to the flatter areas nearby. The highest point in this region, Írott-kő, reaches an elevation of about 883 meters above sea level.

Rivers and Valleys

The area is crisscrossed by several small rivers and streams, including the Perint and the Gyöngyös. These waterways have carved shallow valleys through the landscape, adding to its scenic beauty and ecological diversity. The river valleys often feature lush vegetation and are popular spots for recreation and wildlife.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations near Szombathely, the flat and gently rolling terrain to the east and northeast presents the most promising opportunities. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy development: 1. The open, relatively flat landscape allows for easy installation and maintenance of solar panels. 2. There are fewer natural obstacles that could cast shadows on the panels, maximizing sun exposure throughout the day. 3. The agricultural nature of much of this land means there are large, contiguous areas potentially available for development. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar projects would need to balance energy production goals with the preservation of valuable agricultural land. Careful planning and consultation with local authorities and communities would be necessary to identify the most suitable locations that minimize impact on food production and local ecosystems. The hilly and forested areas to the west, while scenic, are generally less suitable for large-scale solar installations due to the uneven terrain, increased shading from trees, and potential environmental concerns.

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!

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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.