The city of Molde, Møre og Romsdal, Norway, situated at 62.7355°N, 7.1612°E, presents significant challenges for year-round solar energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this coastal city experiences extreme variations in daylight hours and solar intensity throughout the year, greatly impacting the potential for solar PV energy production.

Seasonal Solar Energy Production

Solar energy generation in Molde varies dramatically across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.07 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. This is followed by spring, which yields a respectable 3.61 kWh/day. However, autumn sees a sharp decline to 1.13 kWh/day, while winter production plummets to a mere 0.41 kWh/day.

The stark contrast between summer and winter production is primarily due to Molde's high latitude. During the summer months, particularly from May to July, the city experiences long days with nearly constant daylight, maximizing solar energy potential. Conversely, the winter months, especially December and January, have extremely short days and low sun angles, severely limiting solar generation.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Molde, Møre og Romsdal, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 52 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize the capture of available sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun paths.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several environmental and weather factors can significantly impact solar energy production in Molde:

1. Cloud cover: Molde's coastal location contributes to frequent cloud cover, reducing solar irradiance.
2. Snow and ice: Winter accumulation can obstruct panels, decreasing efficiency.
3. Short winter days: The extreme reduction in daylight hours during winter severely limits production.
4. Low sun angle: Even during daylight hours in winter, the sun's low position in the sky reduces panel efficiency.

Mitigation Strategies

To address these challenges and improve solar energy production, consider the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions
• Install snow guards and implement regular panel cleaning
• Consider dual-axis tracking systems to maximize sunlight capture
• Integrate energy storage solutions to balance seasonal production differences
• Supplement with other renewable energy sources for year-round reliability

While Molde's location presents significant hurdles for consistent year-round solar energy production, careful planning and implementation of these strategies can help maximize the potential of solar PV systems in this challenging environment.

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 Molde

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 62.7355, Longitude: 7.1612 (Molde, 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 52° South in Molde, Norway

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Molde, Norway (Lat/Long 62.7355, 7.1612) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 52° 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 Molde, 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 Molde, Norway. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 52° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
46° South in Summer	64° South in Autumn	74° South in Winter	53° 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 Molde, 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 Molde, 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 Molde, Norway

The topography around Molde, Norway, is characterized by a dramatic and varied landscape that showcases the beauty of the Norwegian fjords. Situated on the northern shore of the Romsdalsfjord, Molde is surrounded by a stunning combination of mountains, islands, and coastal features. To the north and east of Molde, the terrain rises sharply into steep, rugged mountains. These peaks, part of the Scandinavian Mountains range, create a striking backdrop for the city. Many of these mountains reach heights of over 1,000 meters, with some notable peaks in the vicinity including Skåla and Trolltindene. The mountainsides are often covered in dense forests at lower elevations, gradually giving way to rocky slopes and bare peaks at higher altitudes. To the south, the Romsdalsfjord stretches out, creating a picturesque coastal scene. The fjord is dotted with numerous small islands and skerries, adding to the area's scenic beauty. The coastline is irregular, with many inlets, bays, and peninsulas creating a complex shoreline. The immediate area around Molde itself is relatively flat, allowing for urban development along the coast. However, this flat terrain quickly gives way to rolling hills and steeper slopes as one moves away from the city center.

Solar PV Potential in the Molde Area

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors must be taken into account. The mountainous terrain and northern latitude of Molde present challenges for solar energy production. However, there are still potential areas that could be suitable: The flatter coastal areas to the west and southwest of Molde might offer the best potential for large-scale solar PV installations. These areas receive more direct sunlight and have less shadowing from mountains. The islands in the Romsdalsfjord could also be considered, as they often have open, unobstructed areas facing the sun. South-facing slopes on the lower parts of mountains or hills could also be suitable, as they would receive more direct sunlight throughout the day. However, care would need to be taken to avoid areas prone to avalanches or rockslides. It's important to note that while these areas might be the most suitable in the immediate vicinity of Molde, the overall solar potential in this region is limited compared to more southern locations. The long summer days can provide a boost to solar production, but the short winter days and low sun angle significantly reduce output during much of the year. Any large-scale solar PV project in this area would need to carefully consider these factors and potentially combine solar with other renewable energy sources for year-round reliability.

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.