The location at Akureyri, Northeast, Iceland is not the most ideal for year-round solar energy production. However, it does have potential during certain times of the year.

In summer and spring, you can expect a good amount of electricity output from solar PV installations - 5.01kWh/day in Summer and 4.12kWh/day in Spring per kW of installed solar. These seasons would be the best time to generate solar power at this location due to longer daylight hours and better sun exposure.

However, during autumn and winter, the electricity output significantly drops to 1.06kWh/day in Autumn and just 0.21kWh/day in Winter per kW of installed solar because days are shorter with less sunlight available.

For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 54 degrees South is recommended to maximize total year-round production from solar PV.

There could be several environmental or weather factors that might impede solar production at this location:

1) Snow: Being located in Iceland means heavy snowfall during winters which can cover panels reducing their efficiency.
2) Cloud Cover: Overcast conditions are common here which could limit sunlight reaching the panels.
3) Low Sunlight Intensity: Even on clear days, the intensity of sunlight may not be as strong due to its geographical position near Arctic circle.

Preventative measures that can be taken when installing solar include:

1) Regular Cleaning & Maintenance: Ensuring regular cleaning especially after snowfall will help keep panels operating efficiently.
2) Use Snow Guards or Heated Panels: To prevent snow accumulation on your system.
3) Optimal Panel Placement & Angle Adjustment: Placing them where they get maximum sun exposure throughout the day (ideally south-facing), also adjusting tilt according to season can help optimize performance.
4) Using High-efficiency Solar Panels: These type of panels perform better under low light conditions improving overall output.

In conclusion, while Akureyri, Northeast, Iceland isn't the most ideal location for year-round solar power generation due to its geographical location and weather conditions, it can still be viable with proper planning and mitigation strategies.

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 19 locations across Iceland. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Iceland by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Akureyri

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 65.6988, Longitude: -18.1058 (Akureyri, Iceland), 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:

Average 5.01kWh/day in Summer.

Average 1.06kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 0.21kWh/day in Winter.

Average 4.12kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 54° South in Akureyri, Iceland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Akureyri, Iceland (Lat/Long 65.6988, -18.1058) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 54° 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.

At Latitude: 65.6988, Longitude: -18.1058, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 54° South

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Akureyri, Iceland

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 Akureyri, Iceland. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 54° South tilt angle throughout the year.

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 Akureyri, Iceland

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 Akureyri, Iceland.

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 Akureyri, Iceland

Akureyri is located in the northern part of Iceland, near the coast. The topography of this area is characterized by coastal plains and mountainous terrain, with numerous fjords and valleys. It's situated at the base of Eyjafjörður Fjord, surrounded by high mountains.

The climate in Akureyri, like much of Iceland, is subarctic with long cold winters and short cool summers. It also has a relatively high level of cloud cover year-round due to its northern location and maritime influence.

Given these conditions, it's not an ideal location for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations as they require abundant sunlight for maximum efficiency. However, if such an installation were necessary or desirable despite these challenges, flat coastal areas would likely be more suitable than mountainous regions because they would have fewer obstructions blocking sunlight.

It should be noted that while solar power might not be optimal in this region due to less sun exposure especially during winter months when daylight hours are very limited; Iceland's geothermal energy potential is tremendous due to its volcanic activity which provides a more reliable source of renewable energy.

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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.

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