Solar PV Analysis of Dronten, Netherlands
The location at Dronten, Flevoland, Netherlands is moderately good for generating energy via solar PV all year round. However, the effectiveness varies greatly between seasons.
In simple terms, a solar panel system installed here can be expected to generate more electricity in the summer and spring compared to autumn and winter. Specifically, in summer it could produce around 5.42 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. In spring, this decreases slightly to about 4.36 kWh/day per kW of installed solar.
However, during autumn and winter the amount of electricity that can be generated drops significantly due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. In autumn you might expect around 2.14 kWh/day per kW of installed solar and in winter it drops even further to just about 1.01 kWh/day per kW.
To maximize total year-round production from a fixed panel installation at this location, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 44 degrees facing southwards.
As for local factors that could affect solar production in Dronten; the area is quite flat with little topography which is good because there are no hills or mountains blocking sunlight from reaching your panels.
However, like much of the Netherlands weather can often be overcast which reduces how much sunlight reaches your panels thereby reducing their output potential - especially during Autumn/Winter months when cloud coverage tends to increase.
Also keep in mind that while snow isn't very common here if it does occur it could cover your panels thus reducing or eliminating their ability to generate power until cleared off.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these factors consider installing a system with a tracking feature so they follow sun's movement across sky maximizing exposure time throughout day if budget allows for this addition.
Also make sure you're regularly cleaning/maintaining them as even small things like dirt or bird droppings can reduce their effectiveness. If snow does occur, make sure to safely remove it from your panels as soon as possible.
In conclusion, while Dronten isn't the absolute best location for solar energy production it's still quite viable especially if you take steps to maximize your system's potential output and maintain them properly.
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 Dronten
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.5281, Longitude: 5.7137 (Dronten, 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 Dronten, Netherlands
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dronten, Netherlands (Lat/Long 52.5281, 5.7137) 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 Dronten, 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 Dronten, 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 Dronten, 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 Dronten, 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 Dronten, Netherlands
Dronten, Netherlands is located in the province of Flevoland, which is characterized by flat terrain as it was reclaimed from the Zuiderzee (a shallow bay of the North Sea) in the 20th century. The land here is very fertile and primarily used for agriculture. The elevation ranges from -3 to 7 meters below sea level.
The flatness of this region makes it suitable for solar PV installations because there are no hills or mountains to block sunlight. However, given that much of this area is used for farming, large-scale solar installations could interfere with agricultural activities unless dual-use systems (agrophotovoltaics) that allow both farming and energy production are implemented.
Another factor to consider when planning a large-scale solar PV system in Dronten would be its relatively high latitude (52.5281° N). This means that daylight hours vary significantly throughout the year, with long days in summer but short days in winter.
One potential location could be on building rooftops within Dronten itself or other nearby urban areas where there may be less conflict with agricultural land use. Another option might be using floating solar panels on some of the numerous bodies of water found within Flevoland province.
In any case, a detailed feasibility study taking into account not only topography but also factors like local climate conditions (e.g., average sunlight hours), grid connectivity and potential environmental impacts would be necessary before deciding on specific sites for large-scale solar PV installations.
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: Monday 11th 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.
