Fana, Vestland, Norway, situated at coordinates 60.2674, 5.3467, presents a challenging location for year-round solar PV energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in daylight hours and solar intensity, greatly impacting the potential for solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Output

The solar energy output at Fana varies dramatically across the seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.27 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 4.03 kWh/day. However, autumn and winter see a sharp decline in energy production, with outputs of 1.21 kWh/day and a mere 0.46 kWh/day, respectively.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The ideal period for solar energy generation in Fana spans from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. The peak production occurs around the summer solstice in June, gradually decreasing as autumn approaches.

Panel Tilt Angle

To maximize year-round solar production at this location, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 50 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, considering Fana's northern latitude and seasonal sun path variations.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Fana:

1. Long, dark winters: The location's high latitude results in extremely short days during winter, severely limiting solar energy generation.
2. Cloud cover: Fana experiences frequent cloud cover, particularly in autumn and winter, further reducing solar irradiance.
3. Snow and ice: Winter precipitation can accumulate on solar panels, blocking sunlight and reducing efficiency.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these challenges and enhance solar energy production, consider the following measures:

1. Use high-efficiency solar panels designed for low-light conditions.
2. Install snow guards or heating elements to prevent snow accumulation on panels.
3. Implement a robust cleaning and maintenance schedule to ensure optimal panel performance.
4. Consider complementing the solar system with other renewable energy sources, such as wind power, to offset the low winter production.

While Fana's location presents significant challenges for year-round solar energy production, careful system design and implementation of these preventative measures can help maximize the potential of solar PV installations in this area.

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 114 locations across Norway. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Norway by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Fana

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 60.2674, Longitude: 5.3467 (Fana, Norway), 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 50° South in Fana, Norway

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fana, Norway (Lat/Long 60.2674, 5.3467) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 50° 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 Fana, Norway

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 Fana, Norway. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 50° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
44° South in Summer	62° South in Autumn	73° South in Winter	51° 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 Fana, Norway

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 Fana, Norway.

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 Fana, Norway

The topography surrounding Fana, Norway, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque landscape typical of the western Norwegian coast. Situated on the Fana peninsula, the area is a blend of gentle hills, small valleys, and coastal features. The terrain is generally undulating, with elevations ranging from sea level to modest heights of around 200-300 meters above sea level in the nearby hills. To the west of Fana, the land meets the North Sea, creating a rugged coastline with numerous small bays, inlets, and rocky outcrops. This coastal area is dotted with small islands and skerries, forming a complex archipelago that provides shelter from the open sea. Moving inland, the landscape transitions to more forested areas interspersed with agricultural land and small settlements. The eastern part of the region features slightly higher elevations, with rolling hills covered in a mix of coniferous and deciduous forests. These hills gradually give way to the mountains that form the backbone of Norway further inland. Throughout the area, numerous small lakes, ponds, and streams can be found, adding to the region's natural beauty and ecological diversity.

Potential for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors must be taken into account. While Norway's high latitude presents challenges for solar energy production, certain locations in the Fana region could still be viable options: The most suitable areas for solar PV would likely be found on the south-facing slopes of the gentle hills surrounding Fana. These locations would receive more direct sunlight throughout the day, maximizing energy production. Ideally, these sites would be away from forested areas to avoid shading issues. Open agricultural lands that are less productive or fallow could also be potential candidates for solar installations. These areas often provide the necessary space and are typically already cleared, reducing the environmental impact of setting up solar farms. Coastal areas, while abundant, may not be the best choice due to potential salt spray damage to the solar panels and the higher likelihood of fog or mist reducing sunlight exposure. However, some elevated coastal sites with good southern exposure could be considered if properly protected from marine elements. It's worth noting that while large-scale solar PV in this region faces challenges due to the northern latitude and often cloudy weather, advancements in solar technology are continually improving the efficiency of panels in low-light conditions. This could make solar energy increasingly viable in the Fana area in the future, especially when combined with other renewable energy sources like wind power, which is abundant along the Norwegian coast.

Norway solar PV Stats as a country

Norway ranks 70th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 225 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 0.10% of Norway's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 42nd in the world). Each year Norway is generating 42 Watts from solar PV per capita (Norway ranks 55th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Norway?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Norway. The Norwegian government offers a range of financial support and tax breaks for businesses that invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. This includes grants, loans, and tax deductions. Additionally, the Norwegian Energy Agency provides funding for research and development projects related to renewable energy technologies. Finally, the Norwegian Power Company (Statkraft) offers discounted electricity rates for businesses that use solar power.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Norway? 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.