Solar PV Analysis of Hafnarfjordur, Iceland
The location at Hafnarfjordur, Capital Region, Iceland is not ideal for year-round solar energy production. This is because the amount of sunlight and therefore, the energy that can be generated from solar panels, varies greatly with the seasons.
During summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can produce 4.64 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day - this is a decent amount and would be a good time to generate solar power. Spring also sees a good level of production with 3.66 kWh/day per kW of installed solar.
However, in autumn and winter, the energy production drops significantly. In autumn it's just 1.10 kWh/day per kW and in winter it's even less at 0.26 kWh/day per kW.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year in Hafnarfjordur, Capital Region, you should tilt them at an angle of 53 degrees towards South - this will maximize their exposure to sunlight over all four seasons.
As for other factors that could affect solar power generation in Hafnarfjordur: Iceland has long winters with short daylight hours which limits how much electricity your panels can generate during these months; it also experiences frequent cloudy or rainy weather which can block sunlight from reaching your panels; furthermore there might be local buildings or natural features like mountains that cast shadows on your panel site during certain times of day or year.
To mitigate these challenges: firstly ensure you have enough battery storage to save excess power produced during sunny periods for use when sun isn't shining; secondly consider using tracking systems that automatically adjust panel angles to follow sun throughout day maximizing their exposure; thirdly if shadows are an issue try finding more exposed installation site or use micro-inverters which let each panel operate independently so even if some are shaded others still produce electricity efficiently.
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 Hafnarfjordur
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 64.0677, Longitude: -21.9453 (Hafnarfjordur, 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:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 53° South in Hafnarfjordur, Iceland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hafnarfjordur, Iceland (Lat/Long 64.0677, -21.9453) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 53° 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 Hafnarfjordur, 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 Hafnarfjordur, Iceland. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 53° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47° South in Summer | 66° South in Autumn | 75° South in Winter | 54° 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 Hafnarfjordur, 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 Hafnarfjordur, Iceland.
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 Hafnarfjordur, Iceland
The topography around Hafnarfjordur, Iceland is mostly flat with some rolling hills. Areas near the coast that are not covered by mountains would be most suitable for large-scale solar PV installations as they would receive the most sunlight. The nearby towns of Kópavogur and Garðabær could be good locations for such projects due to their high population density and access to infrastructure.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 21st of September 2023
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.
