Solar PV Analysis of Hengelo, Netherlands
The location in Hengelo, Overijssel, Netherlands is moderately suitable for year-round energy generation through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels depends on the amount of sunlight they receive, which varies with the seasons.
During summer and spring, this location receives a good deal of sunlight - you can expect to generate around 5.32 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar in summer and 4.24 kWh/day/kW in spring. These are the most ideal times to generate solar power at this location due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
However, during autumn and winter, the output drops significantly due to shorter days and less intense sunlight - producing only about 2.18 kWh/day/kW in autumn and as low as 1.05 kWh/day/kW in winter.
If you're installing fixed panel solar PV system at this location, tilting them at an angle of 44 degrees towards south would maximize total year-round production because it aligns best with the sun's path across the sky throughout different seasons.
As for local factors that could impede solar production – Hengelo experiences significant cloudy weather throughout much of the year which may reduce output from your panels since they need direct sunlight to operate efficiently. Additionally, snowfall during winter can cover your panels reducing their effectiveness or even stopping production altogether until cleared off.
To mitigate these issues:
- You could consider using bifacial or dual-sided panels which capture light reflected off surfaces like clouds or snow.
- Regular cleaning/maintenance will ensure that dust or snow doesn't accumulate on your panels reducing their efficiency.
- For extreme weather conditions like heavy snowfall or hailstorms protective measures such as robust mounting structures should be used.
Remember though while these steps help improve performance under sub-optimal conditions; nothing beats a sunny day for solar power generation.
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 Hengelo
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.2865, Longitude: 6.8304 (Hengelo, 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 Hengelo, Netherlands
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hengelo, Netherlands (Lat/Long 52.2865, 6.8304) 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 Hengelo, 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 Hengelo, 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 Hengelo, 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 Hengelo, 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 Hengelo, Netherlands
Hengelo, Netherlands is located in the eastern part of the country and is characterized by a relatively flat topography. The region features a mix of urban areas, agricultural lands, and small patches of forested regions.
The flatness of the area makes it suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. However, land use considerations need to be taken into account. Agricultural lands might not be ideal due to potential conflicts with food production. Urban areas might also pose challenges due to buildings and infrastructure.
The most suitable locations for large-scale solar PV would likely be on unused or underutilized lands such as brownfield sites or possibly on rooftops in urban areas where there are no shading issues from surrounding buildings or trees.
It's worth noting that while Hengelo does receive sunlight sufficient enough for solar power generation, it isn't as high compared to southern European countries due to its northern latitude location. Hence, efficiency could be lower than optimal levels but still viable for renewable energy purposes.
As always before undertaking any major projects like this one should conduct a thorough feasibility study taking into account all relevant factors including local regulations and community acceptance.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 25th of March 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
