Solar PV Analysis of Schaan, Liechtenstein
Schaan, Liechtenstein is a decent spot for solar energy generation, but it's not perfect. The amount of sunlight the region gets changes with the seasons. During summer and spring, there's a lot of sunlight, so you can generate quite a bit of power with your solar panels. In fact, in summer you can expect around 5.71 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panel installed. In spring, this drops slightly to about 4.85 kWh/day.
However, in autumn and winter the amount of sunlight decreases significantly - down to around 2.99 kWh/day in autumn and just 1.52 kWh/day in winter per kW installed.
To get the most out of your solar panels at this location all year round, they should be tilted at an angle facing southward by about 40 degrees from horizontal level.
As far as local conditions go that might affect your solar energy production; Liechtenstein is landlocked and surrounded by mountains which could potentially cast shadows on your panels especially during winter when sun is low on horizon - reducing their efficiency. Also weather conditions like snowfall could cover up panels reducing their exposure to sun light.
In order to mitigate these potential issues:
- You might want to consider installing trackers on your solar panels that follow the sun’s path throughout the day maximizing exposure.
- Regular cleaning and maintenance especially during winter months would ensure snow or other debris don't cover up panels.
- If possible place them somewhere where they're less likely to be shaded by nearby mountains or buildings.
But overall while Schaan isn't necessarily an ideal location for generating solar power due its seasonal variation in sunlight availability - it certainly isn't a bad one either especially if you take into account these considerations while installing your PV system!
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 4 locations across Liechtenstein. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Liechtenstein by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Schaan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.1576, Longitude: 9.5119 (Schaan, Liechtenstein), 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 Schaan, Liechtenstein
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Schaan, Liechtenstein (Lat/Long 47.1576, 9.5119) 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 Schaan, Liechtenstein
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 Schaan, Liechtenstein. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 61° 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 Schaan, Liechtenstein
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 Schaan, Liechtenstein.
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 Schaan, Liechtenstein
Schaan is located in the Rhine Valley of the Swiss Alps, making it a relatively mountainous region. The city itself is situated on a gently sloping incline, with elevations ranging from 450 to 600 meters above sea level. There are some flat areas, but also hilly and steep terrains.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are more suitable. Given that Schaan has limited flat land due to its alpine location, one option could be to install solar panels on rooftops of buildings in the town. Another potential area for large-scale solar PV could be south-facing slopes that receive ample sunlight throughout the year.
However, it's crucial to consider other factors like local climate (amount of sunlight), land use restrictions and environmental impact before deciding on a location for large-scale solar PV projects. A detailed feasibility study would provide accurate information about potential sites in and around Schaan.
The Liechtenstein government has been encouraging renewable energy production including solar power generation so there may be supportive policies for such initiatives as well.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 12th of February 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
