The location in Tiel, Gelderland, Netherlands, situated at 51.8879° N, 5.4311° E, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Temperate Zone location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of solar installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.29 kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.50 kWh/day. These seasons offer the best conditions for solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies.

However, the performance drops considerably during autumn and winter. Autumn sees a significant decrease to 2.26 kWh/day, while winter production plummets to a mere 1.12 kWh/day. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of year-round solar energy generation in Tiel's climate.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 44 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the lower sun angle in winter with the higher sun position in summer.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Tiel:

• Cloud cover: The Netherlands is known for its frequent overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, which can significantly reduce solar output.
• Rainfall: Tiel experiences considerable rainfall throughout the year, which can affect panel efficiency.

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

1. Use high-efficiency solar panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
2. Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris, ensuring optimal panel performance.

While Tiel's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper installation techniques and maintenance can help maximize output, particularly during the more favorable spring and summer months.

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 Tiel

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.8879, Longitude: 5.4311 (Tiel, 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 Tiel, Netherlands

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tiel, Netherlands (Lat/Long 51.8879, 5.4311) 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 Tiel, 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 Tiel, 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	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 Tiel, 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 Tiel, Netherlands.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Tiel, Netherlands

The area surrounding Tiel, Netherlands, is characterized by a predominantly flat landscape typical of the Dutch lowlands. Located in the province of Gelderland, Tiel sits in the heart of the Betuwe region, known for its fertile soil and agricultural importance. The topography of this area is shaped by its proximity to major rivers, particularly the Waal River, which flows just south of the city. The terrain around Tiel is remarkably level, with only slight variations in elevation. This flatness is a result of centuries of human intervention, including land reclamation and water management projects. The landscape is crisscrossed by numerous smaller rivers, streams, and canals, creating a patchwork of fields and meadows separated by these waterways. To the north and south of Tiel, the land stretches out in vast, open expanses. These areas are primarily used for agriculture, with orchards, pastures, and crop fields dominating the view. The occasional gentle slopes or slight elevations are barely noticeable to the casual observer, as they rarely exceed a few meters in height.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The flat terrain surrounding Tiel offers advantages for solar energy development, as it provides unobstructed exposure to sunlight and simplifies construction and maintenance processes. The agricultural lands to the north and south of Tiel present potential opportunities for solar farm development. These open spaces receive ample sunlight throughout the day and have few natural obstacles that could cast shadows on solar panels. However, it's important to note that the use of productive farmland for solar installations may face resistance due to the region's agricultural significance. Areas along the banks of the Waal River, particularly on the southern side of Tiel, might also be suitable for solar PV projects. These locations often include some unused or less productive land that could be repurposed for renewable energy generation without significantly impacting agricultural output. Industrial zones or brownfield sites on the outskirts of Tiel and neighboring towns could be ideal candidates for solar installations. These areas often have large, flat rooftops or unused land that could accommodate solar panels without conflicting with other land uses. It's worth noting that while the topography around Tiel is generally favorable for solar PV, other factors such as local regulations, grid connectivity, and environmental considerations would need to be carefully evaluated before embarking on any large-scale solar energy projects in the region.

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

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.