Undeim, Rogaland, Norway, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production potential. This coastal location in southwestern Norway shows the typical pattern of northern European solar resources, with dramatic differences between summer and winter output.

Seasonal Solar Production

The solar energy generation at Undeim follows a predictable seasonal pattern. During summer months, solar panels can generate an impressive 5.35kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 4.24kWh/day per installed kilowatt. These two seasons provide the vast majority of annual solar energy production at this location.

In contrast, autumn yields significantly less energy at just 1.51kWh/day, while winter production drops dramatically to a mere 0.62kWh/day per kilowatt installed. This winter production is less than 12% of what the same system produces during summer months, highlighting the extreme seasonal variation.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Undeim, Rogaland, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 49 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation patterns at this specific latitude and weighting them against potential daily production throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several factors can impact solar production at this Norwegian coastal location:

• Frequent cloud cover and precipitation in the region can reduce solar irradiance reaching panels
• Coastal fog and mist, particularly in morning hours, may delay peak production times
• Snow accumulation during winter months can completely block panels if not addressed
• Salt spray from the nearby North Sea can gradually decrease panel efficiency through corrosion and residue buildup

Preventative Measures

To maximize production despite these challenges, several installation considerations are recommended:

• Install panels with self-cleaning glass or apply hydrophobic coatings to minimize salt and dirt accumulation
• Use marine-grade mounting hardware resistant to salt corrosion
• Consider a slightly steeper panel angle (50-55 degrees) to promote snow sliding and self-cleaning
• Implement regular maintenance schedules, particularly after winter and during autumn transition
• Consider microinverters or power optimizers to minimize production losses when some panels are partially obstructed

While Undeim's location isn't ideal for year-round solar production, properly designed systems can still provide significant energy during spring and summer months, potentially offsetting a substantial portion of annual electricity needs despite the challenging winter conditions.

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 Undeim

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 58.6813, Longitude: 5.7891 (Undeim, 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 Undeim, Norway

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Undeim, Norway (Lat/Long 58.6813, 5.7891) 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 Undeim, 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 Undeim, 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 Undeim, 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 Undeim, 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 Undeim, Norway

The topography around Undeim, Norway presents a diverse landscape characteristic of southwestern Norway's coastal regions. Located in Rogaland county, Undeim sits along the western Norwegian coastline where the North Sea meets the rugged Norwegian terrain. The area features a mix of gently rolling hills, small valleys, and coastal lowlands, with elevations generally ranging from sea level to approximately 200 meters in the immediate vicinity. The coastal character of Undeim's surroundings is evident in its relatively flat areas near the shoreline that gradually rise into more undulating terrain moving inland. Several small lakes and ponds dot the landscape, while streams and minor waterways carve through the terrain. The region exhibits the characteristic fjord-like indentations typical of Norway's western coast, though not as dramatic as those found further north.

Soil and Vegetation

The soil composition around Undeim consists primarily of thin layers over bedrock in higher elevations, with richer deposits in valleys and lowland areas. Vegetation is predominantly a mix of coniferous and deciduous forests, interspersed with areas of agricultural land and natural meadows. Near the coast, the landscape becomes more exposed with sparser vegetation due to wind and salt exposure.

Potential for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) development, several areas near Undeim show promise. The most suitable locations would be the gently sloping south-facing hillsides found 2-5 kilometers inland from the coast. These areas benefit from reduced coastal fog and cloud cover that can sometimes affect immediate coastal zones. The relatively flat agricultural areas to the southeast of Undeim offer particular promise for solar development. These locations combine favorable topography with existing road infrastructure, making construction and maintenance more feasible. The gradual slopes in this direction provide natural drainage while maintaining optimal angles for solar collection. Another promising region lies in the slightly elevated plateaus approximately 3-4 kilometers northeast of Undeim. These areas rise above potential shadow-casting terrain features and present relatively unobstructed exposure to sunlight throughout the day.

Topographical Challenges

Despite these favorable areas, the region does present certain topographical challenges for solar development. The terrain's variability means that some potential sites may require significant grading or specialized mounting systems. Additionally, some of the most level areas are currently used for agriculture, creating potential land-use conflicts. The numerous small bodies of water and streams throughout the region may necessitate careful planning to avoid sensitive watershed areas. Furthermore, the coastal proximity means that salt exposure and stronger winds must be considered in the structural design of any large-scale installation. In summary, while the topography around Undeim presents certain challenges for solar PV development, several promising areas exist, particularly in the gently sloping terrain to the southeast and northeast of the settlement. These locations offer a balance of favorable topographical features, existing infrastructure access, and reduced exposure to coastal weather patterns that could impact solar energy production.

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.