Solar PV Analysis of Gagnef, Sweden
The location at Gagnef, Dalarna County, Sweden is not ideal for year-round solar energy generation due to its Northern Temperate Zone location. However, it's still feasible with varying results throughout the year.
During summer, you can expect a good amount of electricity production from solar panels—about 5.43kWh per day for each kW of installed solar power. This is because there are longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight during this season.
In autumn, the output drops significantly to about 1.43kWh/day per kW due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight as compared to summer.
Winter sees the lowest output at just 0.54kWh/day per kW because of very short days and less intense sunlight in general.
Spring shows an improvement again with a decent output of around 3.89kWh/day per kW as daylight hours increase and sunlight becomes more direct again.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system in Gagnef, Dalarna County, Sweden, tilt your fixed panel installation at an angle of 50 degrees facing South. This will ensure that the panels are optimally angled towards the sun for most parts of the year.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could impede solar production at this location:
Sweden experiences long winters with heavy snowfall which can cover up your panels reducing their efficiency drastically or even completely stop them from producing energy if they're fully covered in snow. To prevent this issue, you might want to install systems that help shed off snow automatically or manually remove it yourself regularly during winter months.
Also note that while summers do provide lots of sunshine for generating good amounts of electricity via solar PV systems; they also come with long periods when nights hardly exist (known as white nights). These extended periods without darkness may cause wear-and-tear on some types of inverters used in PV systems which could negatively affect their performance over time if not properly managed.
Lastly, Sweden is known for its forested areas which could potentially cast shadows on your panels if they're located near such areas. To avoid this issue, make sure to install your solar PV system in a location that's free from any potential obstructions like large trees or buildings that could block sunlight.
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 174 locations across Sweden. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Sweden by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Gagnef
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 60.4857, Longitude: 14.7782 (Gagnef, Sweden), 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 Gagnef, Sweden
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gagnef, Sweden (Lat/Long 60.4857, 14.7782) 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 Gagnef, Sweden
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 Gagnef, Sweden. 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 | 52° 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 Gagnef, Sweden
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 Gagnef, Sweden.
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 Gagnef, Sweden
Gagnef, Sweden, is located in the Dalarna County and is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain. The region features forests, rivers (including the River Dala), lakes, and agricultural lands. It has some higher elevations towards the north.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat open areas are usually most suitable as they allow for ease of installation and maintenance while maximizing exposure to sunlight. Therefore, any existing farmlands or open fields in Gagnef could be potential locations for such projects.
However, it's important to note that Sweden's high latitude means it receives less sunlight than countries closer to the equator. This doesn't mean solar power is impossible – indeed there are successful solar energy projects in Sweden – but this factor may influence efficiency and economic feasibility of a large scale project.
Also worth considering are local regulations regarding land use and renewable energy projects which might affect where such an installation could be placed. Environmental impact assessments would also likely need to be carried out on any proposed site.
Finally, proximity to existing power infrastructure would also be beneficial for transmitting the generated electricity into the grid efficiently.
Sweden solar PV Stats as a country
Sweden ranks 36th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,577 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 0.70% of Sweden's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 39th in the world). Each year Sweden is generating 152 Watts from solar PV per capita (Sweden ranks 34th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Sweden?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Sweden. The Swedish Energy Agency offers a number of grants and subsidies for businesses that want to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. Additionally, the government has implemented a feed-in tariff system which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar. This helps to make investing in solar more attractive and financially viable for businesses.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Sweden? 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: Friday 5th of July 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.
