Den Burg, North Holland, a town located on the island of Texel in the Netherlands, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Den Burg, North Holland, with an impressive daily output of 5.58 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 4.39 kWh per day. However, the colder months see a dramatic decline in solar production. Autumn yields a modest 1.95 kWh per day, while winter performance drops to a mere 0.83 kWh daily.

These figures highlight the stark contrast between the warm and cold seasons, with summer producing nearly seven times more energy than winter. This disparity underscores the challenges of relying solely on solar power throughout the year in Den Burg.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Den Burg, North Holland, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 44 degrees facing south. This orientation helps to capture the most sunlight possible across all seasons, balancing the low winter sun with the higher summer sun path.

Environmental Considerations

Den Burg's coastal location on Texel island presents some unique challenges for solar energy production. The area is prone to strong winds and salt spray from the North Sea, which can potentially damage solar panels over time. To mitigate these risks, installers should use corrosion-resistant materials and ensure robust mounting systems that can withstand high winds.

Additionally, the region experiences frequent cloudy and overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter. This can significantly reduce solar output during these seasons. While this factor cannot be eliminated, using high-efficiency panels and considering energy storage solutions can help maximize the utilization of available sunlight.

Conclusion

While Den Burg offers excellent solar potential during summer and spring, the location's year-round viability for solar energy production is limited by its northern latitude and seasonal weather patterns. Careful system design, appropriate panel orientation, and consideration of local environmental factors are crucial for optimizing solar energy generation in this unique coastal setting.

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 Den Burg

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.0522, Longitude: 4.7979 (Den Burg, 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 Den Burg, Netherlands

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Den Burg, Netherlands (Lat/Long 53.0522, 4.7979) 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 Den Burg, 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 Den Burg, 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	45° 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 Den Burg, 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 Den Burg, Netherlands.

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 Den Burg, Netherlands

Den Burg, located on the island of Texel in the Netherlands, is characterized by a predominantly flat landscape typical of the Dutch coastal region. The town itself sits at a slightly elevated position compared to its immediate surroundings, with an average elevation of about 3 meters above sea level. The topography around Den Burg is shaped by a combination of natural and human-made features. The landscape surrounding Den Burg is primarily composed of polders, which are low-lying areas of land reclaimed from the sea or other bodies of water. These polders are protected by a network of dikes and are used extensively for agriculture, particularly sheep farming and tulip cultivation. The flat terrain is punctuated by occasional gentle slopes and small hills, known as "terpen" or artificial dwelling mounds, which were historically created to protect settlements from flooding. To the west of Den Burg, the terrain gradually rises towards the coastal dunes that form a natural barrier against the North Sea. These dunes, reaching heights of up to 20 meters, create a more varied topography along the western edge of the island. The eastern side of the island, including the areas east of Den Burg, remains predominantly flat, with expansive views across the Wadden Sea.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering suitable locations for large-scale solar PV installations near Den Burg, several factors come into play. The flat, open landscapes of the polders surrounding the town offer significant potential for solar energy development. These areas benefit from minimal shading and unobstructed exposure to sunlight throughout the day. The agricultural lands to the south and east of Den Burg could be particularly well-suited for solar PV projects. These areas are already used for farming and could potentially accommodate dual-use systems that combine solar energy production with agriculture, a concept known as agrivoltaics. This approach could help maintain the land's agricultural value while also generating renewable energy. However, it's important to note that Texel is known for its natural beauty and ecological significance, being part of the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage site. Any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider environmental impacts and visual aesthetics. The coastal dunes and nature reserves on the island would likely be unsuitable for solar PV due to their ecological importance and protected status. Ultimately, the most appropriate locations for large-scale solar PV near Den Burg would be those that balance energy production potential with environmental conservation and local land use priorities. This might involve utilizing existing infrastructure, such as integrating solar panels into buildings or parking lots, or identifying less ecologically sensitive areas of the polders for ground-mounted solar arrays.

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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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.

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Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide

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