Solar PV Analysis of Hulst, Netherlands
The location at Hulst, Zeeland, Netherlands, is somewhat ideal for year-round energy generation via solar PV. The amount of energy generated varies by season due to the changes in sunlight availability.
In Summer, you can expect about 5.35kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar power, which is quite good. This makes Summer the best time of year to generate solar power at this location.
In Autumn and Winter, the amount of energy generated decreases significantly due to less sunlight availability. You can expect about 2.33kWh/day in Autumn and only 1.17kWh/day in Winter per kilowatt of installed solar power.
In Spring, the production increases again with an average output of around 4.56 kWh/day per kW installed.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, it's recommended to tilt panels at an angle of 44 degrees facing South to maximize total year-round production from solar PV.
There could be environmental or local factors that might impede solar production at this location such as frequent cloud cover or foggy conditions which are common in Netherlands especially during winter months that could limit sunlight exposure on the panels and thus lower their efficiency.
To prevent these issues from affecting your energy generation too much:
- Install panels where they will get maximum sun exposure throughout the day.
- Regularly clean your panels to remove any dust or debris that may accumulate on them.
- Consider installing a tracking system that adjusts your panels' angle throughout the day so they always face directly towards the sun.
However remember: while these preventative measures can help ensure greater energy production from your solar PV system; weather conditions like cloud cover are not within our control so it's important to consider these factors when estimating potential yields from a Solar PV system located here in Hulst, Zeeland, Netherlands.
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 Hulst
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.2837, Longitude: 4.0541 (Hulst, 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 Hulst, Netherlands
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hulst, Netherlands (Lat/Long 51.2837, 4.0541) 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 Hulst, 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 Hulst, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35° 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 Hulst, 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 Hulst, 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 Hulst, Netherlands
Hulst, Netherlands is located in the province of Zeeland, which is characterized by its flat landscape. The region is largely comprised of polders, areas of land reclaimed from the sea and other bodies of water. This area typically has low elevation and a flat terrain.
The topography around Hulst has a few minor variations in elevation but it's predominantly flat with some slight slopes. It lies near the Western Scheldt river to its west and north-west direction.
For large-scale solar PV installations, topography plays an important role as it directly impacts the amount of sunlight received. Flat or gently sloping lands are ideal for solar panel installation as they receive maximum sunlight exposure.
Given Hulst's geographical location and its largely flat terrain, several areas could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations:
1. Agricultural Lands: Large tracts of agricultural land around Hulst can be used for dual-purpose farming where crops and solar panels co-exist.
2. Industrial Areas: Unused or underutilized industrial lands could also serve as potential sites for installing large scale solar panels.
3. Near Infrastructure: Areas close to existing infrastructure like roads or power lines would reduce costs associated with transporting energy generated from these installations.
However, while identifying potential sites for such projects, it's crucial to consider factors like local regulations regarding land use changes, environmental impact assessments (especially considering that this region might have protected natural habitats), proximity to grid connections etc., apart from just topographical suitability.
Please note that a detailed feasibility study should be conducted by professionals before embarking on any such project to identify all possible challenges and opportunities associated with it.
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 29th of January 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.
