Solar PV Analysis of Soest, Netherlands
The location at Soest, Utrecht, Netherlands is moderately suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The energy output varies significantly throughout the year due to the changing seasons. During the summer months, you can expect a high output of around 5.42 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of installed solar power. This makes summer an ideal time for solar energy production in this area.
In contrast, autumn and winter see a drastic drop in potential output to 2.14 and 1.01 kWh/day respectively due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun angles. However, things improve during spring with an average daily output of about 4.36 kWh.
To optimize the total yearly production from a fixed panel installation at this location, it would be best to tilt the panels at an angle of about 44 degrees facing southwards.
There are several environmental factors that could potentially affect solar production at this location which need consideration when installing your PV system:
1) Weather: The Netherlands often experiences cloudy or overcast weather which could reduce sunlight exposure on your panels hence reducing their productivity.
Prevention: Regular cleaning and maintenance can help keep your panels working efficiently even under less than optimal conditions.
2) Shade: Buildings or trees might cast shadows on your panels especially if they are not optimally placed.
Prevention: Ensure proper site selection where there's minimal shade throughout the day for maximum sunlight exposure.
3) Snowfall: In winter months snow accumulation on your panels could block sunlight completely.
Prevention: Panels should be installed in such a way that snow can slide off easily or consider using automated solutions like snow sensors that detect accumulation and activate heating elements to melt it off.
While these challenges exist, modern technology has provided ways around them ensuring you get good returns from your investment into solar power all year round despite varying seasonal outputs.
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 Soest
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.1739, Longitude: 5.2782 (Soest, 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 Soest, Netherlands
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Soest, Netherlands (Lat/Long 52.1739, 5.2782) 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 Soest, 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 Soest, 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 Soest, 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 Soest, 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 Soest, Netherlands
Soest, Netherlands is located in a relatively flat area characteristic of the country's topography. It sits near the Utrecht Hill Ridge (Utrechtse Heuvelrug), a ridge of low sandhills that constitutes the most substantial elevation in the region. However, even this ridge is not particularly high or steep.
Large-scale solar PV installations require areas with abundant sunlight and large tracts of relatively flat and open land. Given these requirements, there are several potential locations around Soest for such an installation:
1) Agricultural Land: The Netherlands has extensive farmland, which could potentially be used for dual-purpose agriculture-solar photovoltaic systems (agrovoltaics). This would allow continued agricultural use while also generating electricity.
2) Rooftops: In urbanized areas like Soest itself or nearby Amersfoort and Utrecht, rooftop solar installations could be effective. This would require less additional land use compared to ground-mounted systems.
3) Brownfield Sites: These are previously developed sites that are not currently in use. They can often be found around cities or old industrial areas and can provide excellent locations for large-scale solar projects as they take advantage of already disturbed land.
4) Along Infrastructure Corridors: Areas along highways or railway lines may also be suitable for solar panel installation due to their long stretches of relatively unused land.
It should be noted that any project would need careful planning to ensure minimal environmental impact and maximum efficiency. Factors like local weather conditions (Netherlands has many cloudy days), soil stability, proximity to power grids, visual impact on landscape etc., will have to be considered too.
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 3rd of May 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.
