Solar PV Analysis of Geleen, Netherlands
The location at Geleen, Limburg, Netherlands is not ideal for year-round energy generation through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, but it can still produce a considerable amount of electricity. The best times to generate solar power in this area are during the Summer and Spring seasons when the daily energy output per kilowatt of installed solar is 5.25 kWh and 4.63 kWh respectively.
During Autumn, the energy production drops to 2.46kWh/day and further decreases to just 1.18kWh/day in Winter due to fewer hours of sunlight and less direct sunlight because of the angle of the sun.
However, you can optimize your yearly solar PV production by tilting your panels at an angle of 43 degrees facing South. This position allows your panels to capture as much sunlight as possible throughout different times of the year.
There might be some local factors that could affect your solar panel efficiency such as weather conditions or environmental issues specific to Geleen, Limburg, Netherlands:
1) Overcast Skies: The Netherlands is known for its cloudy weather which could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels.
Preventative Measure: Using high-efficiency PV modules that perform well even under diffused light conditions can help overcome this issue.
2) Snowfall: During winter months, snow accumulation on panels may block sunlight.
Preventative Measure: Installations with steeper tilt angles will allow snow to slide off more easily; also regular cleaning is recommended during heavy snow periods.
3) Dust and Dirt Accumulation: Dust particles from nearby industries or farms could settle on your panels reducing their efficiency.
Preventative Measure: Regular cleaning maintenance should keep dust accumulation at bay ensuring optimal performance from your PV system.
Remember though these factors are only significant if they persist over long periods; occasional cloudy days or brief dust accumulations won't significantly impact annual power generation levels from a well-installed Solar PV system in Geleen.
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 Geleen
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.9567, Longitude: 5.8174 (Geleen, 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 43° South in Geleen, Netherlands
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Geleen, Netherlands (Lat/Long 50.9567, 5.8174) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Geleen, 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 Geleen, Netherlands. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34° South in Summer | 54° South in Autumn | 64° South in Winter | 43° 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 Geleen, 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 Geleen, 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 Geleen, Netherlands
Geleen is located in the province of Limburg, in the southeastern part of the Netherlands. The topography around Geleen is characterized by a relatively flat landscape with some gentle rolling hills. This region is known for its fertile soils and river valleys, as it's situated near the Geleenbeek and Maas rivers.
The flat terrain would be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations because it would allow for maximum sunlight exposure without obstruction from mountains or steep slopes. Additionally, areas with less vegetation (to avoid shading) and close proximity to existing power infrastructure (for ease of connection) would also be beneficial.
One potential location could be unused farmland or industrial areas where there are fewer obstructions to sunlight. Another possible location could be on rooftops of large buildings in industrial zones around Geleen.
However, final selection should consider other factors such as local climate (average hours of sunshine), land use regulations, environmental impact assessments and public acceptance among others.
It's important to note that while the Netherlands isn't particularly sunny compared to some countries, it still has enough sun exposure to make solar energy viable - Germany, which has similar weather conditions, has one of the highest installed capacities of solar PV in the world.
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: Tuesday 9th of April 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.
