Solar PV Analysis of Maarssen, Netherlands
In simple terms, the location at Maarssen, Utrecht, Netherlands is somewhat suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. The amount of energy you can generate depends on the season.
In summer, you can expect to generate around 5.42 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This is pretty good and makes summer an ideal time for solar energy generation in Maarssen.
In autumn, this drops to 2.14 kWh/day per kW of installed solar panels and drops even further in winter to just 1.01 kWh/day per kW - making these seasons less ideal for solar power generation.
Spring sees a rise again with around 4.36 kWh/day per kW which makes it another good time after summer.
The angle at which your panels are tilted also plays a big part in how much energy they can produce. In Maarssen, Utrecht, tilting your panels at a 44-degree angle facing south would give you the most amount of sun exposure over the year and hence maximize your total yearly production from solar PV.
As far as local factors that could affect your solar production go - like environmental conditions or weather - there's nothing majorly significant here that could impede your system’s performance in Maarssen if properly maintained and installed correctly.
However, keep in mind that this area does have its fair share of cloudy days especially during autumn and winter which could reduce sunlight reaching the panels thus lowering their output during these periods compared to sunnier months like summer and spring.
To counteract this effect somewhat, when installing your system it would be beneficial to ensure that no nearby structures or trees cast shadows on your panels especially during peak daylight hours as this will also reduce their output significantly.
Overall though with careful planning including proper positioning/tilting of panels along with regular maintenance/cleaning to keep them operating at their best, solar PV can be a viable and sustainable source of energy in Maarssen, Utrecht, Netherlands throughout the year.
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 Maarssen
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.1388, Longitude: 5.0301 (Maarssen, 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 Maarssen, Netherlands
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Maarssen, Netherlands (Lat/Long 52.1388, 5.0301) 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 Maarssen, 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 Maarssen, 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 | 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 Maarssen, 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 Maarssen, 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 Maarssen, Netherlands
The topography around Maarssen, Netherlands is generally flat, as it is a part of the North European Plain. The area is characterized by its low-lying terrain with a significant portion of land below sea level, interspersed with canals and rivers.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat and open areas are typically best suited due to ease of installation and maintenance as well as optimal exposure to sunlight. Given this criteria, the following nearby areas could be suitable:
1. Agricultural lands: The region around Maarssen contains agricultural lands that could potentially be used for solar PV installations.
2. Rooftops in urban areas: In nearby cities like Utrecht or Amsterdam, rooftops of buildings can also be utilized for smaller-scale distributed solar PV systems.
3. Unused industrial sites: Any unused or abandoned industrial sites in the vicinity could also serve as potential locations for larger scale solar PV installations.
4. Near infrastructures like highways or railways where there are wide stretches of open land available.
However, it's important to note that while these physical characteristics are important considerations in terms of technical feasibility, other factors such as environmental impact assessment (especially for agricultural lands), grid connectivity and infrastructure availability should also be taken into account before deciding on a location for large-scale solar PV installation.
Furthermore, the Netherlands has relatively lower levels of sunlight compared to more southern European countries so this may affect the efficiency and economic viability of large-scale solar projects.
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: Friday 16th of February 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.
