Solar PV Analysis of Arnhem, Netherlands
The location at Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands is somewhat suitable for generating solar energy year-round, but not ideal. This is because the amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies throughout the seasons.
During summer and spring, you can expect to generate a good amount of electricity - around 5.35 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 4.56 kWh/day in spring for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. These are the best times to produce solar energy at this location due to longer daylight hours and stronger sun rays.
In contrast, during autumn and winter, the production drops significantly to about 2.33 kWh/day in autumn and just 1.17 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar power due to shorter daylight hours and weaker sun rays.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system at this location, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 44 degrees towards south if you're setting up fixed panels. This angle has been identified as optimal for catching sunlight over the course of a year.
When it comes to environmental or weather factors that could hinder your solar production here: The Netherlands is known for its cloudy weather which could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels especially during autumn/winter months when sunshine hours are already limited.
Also remember that snowfall during winter might cover your panels blocking sunlight completely - so regular cleaning would be necessary during those periods.
One preventative measure against these issues would be installing tracking systems on your PV installation which allow them to move with the sun's position throughout the day maximising their exposure even on less sunny days - however this solution will increase costs considerably compared with fixed panel installations.
Another option could be using advanced PV materials designed specifically for lower light conditions although again this may involve additional cost compared with standard PV materials.
Lastly ensuring regular maintenance/cleaning of the panels will help to ensure they are working as efficiently as possible and maximising energy production.
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 364 locations across Netherlands. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Netherlands by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Arnhem
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.9888, Longitude: 5.9167 (Arnhem, Netherlands), 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 44° South in Arnhem, Netherlands
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Arnhem, Netherlands (Lat/Long 51.9888, 5.9167) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 44° 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 Arnhem, Netherlands
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 Arnhem, Netherlands. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 44° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36° South in Summer | 55° South in Autumn | 65° South in Winter | 44° 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 Arnhem, Netherlands
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 Arnhem, Netherlands.
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 Arnhem, Netherlands
Arnhem is located in the eastern part of the Netherlands and is characterized by a relatively flat landscape, as is typical for much of the country. The region has some slight variations in elevation with low-lying areas near rivers and slightly higher grounds on uplands. The city itself lies on both banks of the river Nederrijn (Lower Rhine), which adds to its geographical diversity.
Regarding solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, large-scale projects would ideally require vast open spaces with plenty of sunlight exposure throughout the year. Given that Arnhem and its surrounding regions are quite flat, there are potentially numerous suitable locations for such developments.
However, it's worth noting that solar PV efficiency can be affected by factors other than just topography. These include local climate conditions (like cloud cover), orientation and tilt angle of panels, potential shading from nearby structures or vegetation etc.
The most suited areas nearby for large-scale solar PV might be:
1) Open farmlands: They provide ample space required for large scale PV installation without any hindrance to sunlight.
2) Industrial zones: Unused lands in industrial zones can also be ideal due to their proximity to electricity grids which makes power transmission easier.
3) Rooftops: In urban areas like Arnhem city itself, rooftops—especially those on commercial or public buildings—can be used for smaller scale but collectively significant solar power generation.
Before initiating any project though, detailed site-specific studies should be conducted considering all relevant factors including environmental impact assessments.
Netherlands solar PV Stats as a country
Netherlands ranks 12th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 14,249 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 8.90% of Netherlands's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 7th in the world). Each year Netherlands is generating 817 Watts from solar PV per capita (Netherlands ranks 1st in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Netherlands?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the Netherlands. The Dutch government offers a number of financial incentives and subsidies for businesses that invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include grants, tax credits, and low-interest loans. Additionally, businesses can benefit from net metering policies which allow them to sell excess electricity back to the grid at a premium rate. Finally, businesses may also be eligible for additional funding through the European Union's Horizon 2020 program.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Netherlands? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 27th of March 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.
