Solar PV Analysis of Oppdal, Norway
The location at Oppdal, Trøndelag, Norway is not ideal for year-round solar energy production due to its position in the Northern Temperate Zone. However, there are certain times of the year when it can be quite effective.
In terms of seasons, summer and spring are the best times for solar energy generation at this location. During summer, you can expect to generate about 5.23 kWh/day per kW of installed solar power and about 4.42 kWh/day during springtime. This means that these two seasons provide a good amount of sunlight for your solar panels to convert into electricity.
On the other hand, autumn and winter see a significant drop in potential output – with only 1.26 kWh/day expected in autumn and even less during winter at just 0.52kWh/day per kW installed.
When installing fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them towards south at an angle of 52 degrees is recommended as it maximizes total yearly production from your PV system.
However, there could be environmental or weather factors that might affect the efficiency of your solar installation here - heavy snowfall during winters being one notable example as it can cover up your panels reducing their sunlight exposure significantly hence lowering their productivity.
To prevent such issues from affecting your system's performance too much; you may consider installing devices that help remove snow from panels or simply make sure they're regularly cleaned off manually when necessary (especially after heavy snowfalls). Also considering more advanced tracking systems which follow sun’s path across sky could increase overall annual yield despite challenging weather conditions but would come with increased costs.
Another factor could be long periods without sunshine due to cloudy or overcast weather common in this part of Norway which again reduces panel efficiency so consideration should also be given to adequate battery storage solutions ensuring continued power supply even during periods without much sunshine available directly.
In summary: While Oppdal isn't perfect for year-round PV generation; careful planning, good installation practices and maintenance can still make it a viable option especially during sunnier parts of year.
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 Oppdal
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 62.5909, Longitude: 9.6883 (Oppdal, 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 Oppdal, Norway
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Oppdal, Norway (Lat/Long 62.5909, 9.6883) 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 Oppdal, 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 Oppdal, 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 Oppdal, 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 Oppdal, 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 Oppdal, Norway
Oppdal, Norway is situated in a mountainous region with the Dovrefjell range to its west. The terrain is characterized by high peaks, deep valleys, and large plateaus. The town itself sits at an elevation of around 500 meters above sea level. There are numerous rivers and lakes in the area as well.
As for solar PV potential, it's important to note that Oppdal is located fairly far north (at 62 degrees latitude), which means it receives less sunlight than locations closer to the equator. This doesn't mean solar power is impossible here - just that efficiency will be lower compared to more southerly locations.
That said, flat areas with good sun exposure would be ideal for solar installations. Plateaus or south-facing slopes could potentially work well too if they're not too steep or heavily forested. However, given the local topography and climate conditions (including snow cover during winter months), feasibility studies would need to be conducted before any specific sites could be recommended.
It's also worth noting that Norway already produces most of its electricity from renewable sources (primarily hydropower), so there may not be as much demand for new large-scale solar projects compared to countries more reliant on fossil fuels.
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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 24th of June 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.
