Solar PV Analysis of Urk, Netherlands
The location at Urk, Flevoland, Netherlands is somewhat suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. However, the efficiency of energy generation varies with each season.
During summer, when the days are longest and sunniest, you can expect to generate about 5.42 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This is the ideal time for solar energy production at this location.
In spring, you can still generate a decent amount of energy - around 4.36 kWh/day per kW of installed solar power.
However, during autumn and winter when there are fewer daylight hours and more cloudy days, the amount of energy generated significantly drops to 2.14 kWh/day in autumn and even lower to just 1.01 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar power.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of 44 degrees towards South will help maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system as it allows them to catch more sunlight throughout the day.
As far as environmental or local factors that might impede solar production in Urk are concerned: The Netherlands is known for its flat landscape which provides an advantage as there's less likelihood that mountains or tall buildings will block sunlight from reaching your panels.
However, weather could be a significant factor affecting solar production as this region experiences quite a lot of cloud cover especially during autumn and winter months which reduces sunlight exposure on your panels thus lowering their efficiency.
To combat these issues: You might consider installing additional panels so you have enough capacity even on cloudy days or use high-efficiency modules designed to perform well under low light conditions; regular cleaning/maintenance ensures they work optimally; finally investing in good quality inverters/batteries would help store excess power produced during sunny periods for use later when sun exposure is limited.
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 Urk
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.6647, Longitude: 5.6038 (Urk, 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 Urk, Netherlands
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Urk, Netherlands (Lat/Long 52.6647, 5.6038) 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 Urk, 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 Urk, 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 Urk, 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 Urk, 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 Urk, Netherlands
Urk, Netherlands is located in the Flevoland province which is characterized by its flat landscape. The region was actually reclaimed from the IJsselmeer lake and therefore has a very low elevation, almost at sea level. This flat topography makes it suitable for various types of land development including large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Urk would be the open fields surrounding the town, given their flatness and high sun exposure. Also, considering that Flevoland is an agricultural province with many open farmlands, these could potentially be co-utilized for solar PV installations.
However, it's important to note that while technically feasible, such projects would need to carefully consider potential impacts on local agriculture and biodiversity. Moreover, any project would also need to navigate Dutch planning laws and regulations as well as potential social acceptance issues among local residents.
In terms of specific locations nearby Urk that might be suited to large-scale solar PV:
1. Northeast Polder: A polder northeast of Urk could provide ample space for a large-scale installation.
2. Noordoostpolder area: This municipality has already shown interest in renewable energy projects.
3. Dronten Municipality: Located south of Urk with plenty of open space available.
4. Alongside major highways like A6 or N352 where there are wide stretches of unused land on either side.
Remember this is just based on topographical suitability - actual implementation may depend on a variety of factors like ownership rights over land parcels in question or proximity to power transmission infrastructure among others.
Also keep in mind that being close to coastlines can have higher wind speeds which can pose challenges for certain types of solar panels due to increased wear and tear or risk from storms etc., but this should not necessarily rule out these areas as long as appropriate measures are taken during design & installation stages.
Finally, it's worth mentioning that the Netherlands has a relatively high population density which may limit availability of large contiguous land parcels for such projects. Therefore, exploring options like floating solar panels on water bodies (which the Dutch have already been pioneering in some places) or rooftop installations across multiple buildings can also be considered.
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: Thursday 8th 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.
