Solar PV Analysis of Bergen, Netherlands
Bergen, North Holland, Netherlands is a decent location for generating solar energy year-round, but it's not the best. The amount of electricity you can expect to generate from a kilowatt of installed solar power varies by season. In summer, you could produce about 5.42 kilowatt hours per day and in spring around 4.36 kilowatt hours per day which are quite good figures for solar generation.
However, in autumn and winter, the output drops significantly to about 2.14 and 1.01 kilowatt hours per day respectively due to shorter days and less sunlight intensity during these seasons.
The most ideal times of year for generating solar energy at this location would be during spring and summer when daylight hours are longer and the sun is more intense.
To maximize your total yearly production from your solar panels at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 44 degrees facing south; this allows them to capture as much sunlight as possible throughout the year.
There may be some local factors that could affect your ability to generate solar power here though such as frequent cloud cover or fog which can block sunlight reaching the panels especially during autumn and winter months when sunshine is already limited; also heavy snowfall in winter might cover panels reducing their efficiency drastically.
To combat these potential issues, one preventative measure that can be taken when installing your panels would include setting up an automated system or manual routine for cleaning off any accumulated snow or debris on them so they have clear exposure to sunlight whenever it's available. Additionally investing in high quality PV modules with better low-light performance will ensure greater energy production even under cloudy conditions.
Also considering a tracking system that follows the sun’s path across the sky might help increase overall annual yield compared with fixed installations although it involves additional cost.
Lastly keep an eye out on surrounding buildings or trees that might cast shadows over time due to growth or new constructions blocking direct sunlight reaching the solar panels.
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 Bergen
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.6692, Longitude: 4.6879 (Bergen, 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 Bergen, Netherlands
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bergen, Netherlands (Lat/Long 52.6692, 4.6879) 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 Bergen, 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 Bergen, 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 | 66° 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 Bergen, 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 Bergen, 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 Bergen, Netherlands
Bergen, Netherlands is located in the province of North Holland. The region around Bergen is characterized by a flat landscape as it lies in the low-lying areas of the country. There are also some sand dunes and forests near this area.
A large-scale solar PV project would require a vast, open space with plenty of sunlight exposure. Given that the terrain around Bergen is mostly flat and open, it could potentially be suitable for such a project.
However, there are several other factors to consider when evaluating suitability for solar PV projects beyond just topography:
1) Sunlight Exposure: While topography plays an important role in determining suitability for solar energy production, sunlight exposure (solar irradiance) is equally crucial. As part of Northern Europe, Netherlands does not have as high levels of sunlight as more southern regions.
2) Land Use: The land use pattern should also be taken into account. If most land around Bergen is used for agriculture or residential purposes already, then these lands might not be available or suitable for large scale solar PV installations.
3) Environmental Impact: Any potential environmental impact on local wildlife habitats and ecosystems should also be considered before setting up such installations.
4) Grid Infrastructure: Proximity to grid infrastructure can significantly influence cost-effectiveness and feasibility of a large-scale solar project due to transmission considerations.
Therefore while theoretically possible based on topography alone; economic viability, environmental impact considerations and local regulations need to be thoroughly examined before embarking on any largescale renewable energy projects.
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: Saturday 4th of May 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.
