Solar PV Analysis of Hoorn, Netherlands
The location at Hoorn, North Holland, Netherlands is somewhat suitable for generating energy via solar PV throughout the year. The most ideal time to generate solar energy at this location would be during the summer and spring months when sunlight is more abundant. In summer, you can expect an average of 5.42 kWh/day per kW of installed solar and in spring, it's about 4.36 kWh/day per kW.
During autumn and winter months, however, the amount of sunlight decreases significantly leading to less power generation - with only 2.14kWh/day in Autumn and even lower at 1.01kWh/day in Winter.
To optimize total year-round production from a fixed panel installation at this location, it's recommended that panels are tilted towards the south at an angle of approximately 44 degrees.
Environmental factors such as weather conditions could potentially impede solar production here due to its Northern Temperate Zone location which experiences less sun exposure during winter months compared to locations closer to the equator.
There may also be local factors such as building shadows or trees blocking sunlight that could affect power generation from your panels so you should consider these when choosing where on your property to install them.
To ensure greater energy production despite these environmental or local challenges:
- You might want to consider using adjustable tilt mounts for your panels so they can track the sun’s path across the sky.
- Regular maintenance like cleaning dust or snow off your panels can help keep them working efficiently.
- If possible try installing on a site with minimal obstructions (like tall buildings or trees) blocking direct sunlight onto your panels.
Remember though that while these measures can improve output they won't fully compensate for lower daylight hours in winter months; hence why it's important if possible not just rely solely on solar but have other supplemental sources of power too especially during those times of year when sunshine is less plentiful.
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 Hoorn
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.6531, Longitude: 5.0939 (Hoorn, 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 Hoorn, Netherlands
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hoorn, Netherlands (Lat/Long 52.6531, 5.0939) 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 Hoorn, 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 Hoorn, 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 Hoorn, 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 Hoorn, 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 Hoorn, Netherlands
Hoorn, Netherlands is located in the North Holland province and is characterized by a flat terrain as it's part of the low-lying areas of the Netherlands. This region predominantly features polders, which are areas of land reclaimed from a body of water such as a lake, marsh or sea.
Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, flat terrains like those found around Hoorn are generally suitable. However, other factors must also be considered:
1. Land Use: The area is largely urbanized with some agricultural lands surrounding it. Urban areas may have limited space for large scale solar PV while agricultural lands might be better suited if they aren't used for intensive farming.
2. Sunlight Exposure: The amount and intensity of sunlight that an area receives can greatly influence the efficiency and productivity of solar panels.
3. Local Regulations: It's important to consider local laws and regulations related to renewable energy projects.
4. Environmental Impact: Any potential impact on local wildlife or ecosystems should also be taken into account.
Given these considerations, unused farmlands or industrial zones could potentially be suitable locations for large-scale solar PV installations in this region due to their relatively low environmental impact compared to natural habitats and more available space compared to densely populated urban areas.
However, detailed feasibility studies would need to be conducted before deciding on a specific location for such an installation.
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 1st of April 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.
