Solar PV Analysis of Kristiansand, Norway
Kristiansand, Agder, Norway, located at 58.1428°N, 7.9887°E, presents a challenging environment for year-round solar PV energy generation. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this coastal city experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which greatly impact the efficiency of solar installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy production in Kristiansand fluctuates dramatically throughout the year. Summer months yield the highest output at 5.67 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows with a respectable 4.12 kWh/day. However, production drops significantly in autumn to 1.52 kWh/day and plummets to a mere 0.68 kWh/day during winter months.
This stark contrast highlights the challenges of relying on solar energy year-round in Kristiansand. The long summer days provide ample opportunity for energy generation, making it an ideal time for solar production. Conversely, the short winter days with low sun angles severely limit solar potential during colder months.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Kristiansand, Agder, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 49 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the capture of available sunlight throughout the year, balancing the high summer sun with the low winter sun angle.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several environmental and weather factors can impede solar production in Kristiansand:
- Long periods of overcast skies, especially during autumn and winter
- Frequent rainfall, which can reduce panel efficiency
- Potential snow accumulation on panels during winter months
To mitigate these challenges, consider implementing these preventative measures:
- Use high-efficiency solar panels designed for low-light conditions
- Install panels at a steeper angle to promote self-cleaning and snow shedding
- Implement a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule
- Consider supplementing with other renewable energy sources during low-production months
While Kristiansand's location presents significant challenges for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and appropriate technology can still make solar PV a viable part of the local energy mix, 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 110 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 Kristiansand
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 58.1428, Longitude: 7.9887 (Kristiansand, 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 49° South in Kristiansand, Norway
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kristiansand, Norway (Lat/Long 58.1428, 7.9887) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 49° 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 Kristiansand, 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 Kristiansand, Norway. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 49° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42° South in Summer | 60° South in Autumn | 71° South in Winter | 50° 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 Kristiansand, 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 Kristiansand, Norway.
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 Kristiansand, Norway
The topography around Kristiansand, Norway, is quite varied and characteristic of the southern Norwegian landscape. Kristiansand is situated on the country's southern coast, where the terrain is a mix of coastal features and inland hills.
The city itself is nestled in a relatively flat area along the coastline, with the Skagerrak strait to its south. As you move inland from the coast, the landscape becomes more rugged and hilly. The area is dotted with numerous small lakes, ponds, and streams, which are typical of glacially-shaped terrains.
To the north and east of Kristiansand, the terrain gradually rises into what Norwegians call "heier" - forested hills and low mountains. These areas are characterized by a mix of coniferous and deciduous forests, interspersed with rocky outcrops and occasional clearings.
The coastline near Kristiansand is indented with fjords and bays, creating a complex shoreline with many small islands and skerries just offshore. This creates a picturesque landscape but also limits the amount of flat land available near the coast.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the options around Kristiansand are somewhat limited due to the terrain and climate. However, some potential areas could be considered:
The most suitable locations would likely be on the flatter areas inland from the coast, where there are occasional clearings or agricultural lands. These areas would need to be carefully selected to avoid shadowing from nearby hills or forests. Some of the gentler south-facing slopes of hills might also be suitable, as they would receive more direct sunlight.
It's important to note that while Norway has long summer days, it also experiences short winter days with limited sunlight, which can affect the efficiency of solar installations. Additionally, the frequent cloud cover in this coastal region might impact solar energy production. Therefore, any large-scale solar PV project in this area would need to carefully consider these factors in its planning and implementation.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 24th of July 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 24th of July 2024
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.
