Handen, Stockholm County, Sweden, located at 59.167° latitude and 18.1458° longitude in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents varying conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences significant seasonal differences in solar electricity production.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Handen demonstrate a dramatic range in energy output across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, generating 6.10kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 4.18kWh/day. Energy production drops considerably during autumn to 1.48kWh/day, while winter experiences minimal generation at just 0.48kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This pattern creates a more than 12-fold difference between summer and winter production, highlighting the extreme seasonal variation at this northern latitude. The most favorable period for solar generation spans from April through August, when longer days and higher sun angles maximize energy capture.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Handen, Stockholm County, the ideal tilt angle is 48 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to maximize total year-round energy production, taking into account the location's latitude, daily solar elevation angles, and weighted solar potential throughout the year.

Environmental Challenges

Several significant environmental factors can impact solar production in Handen:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can completely cover panels, blocking sunlight when production is already at its lowest
• Frequent cloud cover, particularly during autumn and winter, further reduces the already limited solar radiation
• Low ambient temperatures, while actually improving panel efficiency, can create issues with snow melt and equipment durability

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar energy production in Handen despite these challenges, several preventative measures are recommended. Installing panels at the steeper 48-degree angle not only optimizes year-round production but also helps shed snow more effectively. Snow removal systems, whether manual or automated, are particularly valuable given the extended winter period.

High-quality panels with anti-reflective coatings can capture more light during low-light conditions prevalent in autumn and winter. Additionally, inverters designed to perform efficiently at low power inputs will help extract maximum energy during the darker months.

Despite these challenges, the excellent summer and spring production can make solar installations worthwhile, especially when designed with these local conditions in mind.

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 Handen

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 59.167, Longitude: 18.1458 (Handen, 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 48° South in Handen, Sweden

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Handen, Sweden (Lat/Long 59.167, 18.1458) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 48° 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 Handen, 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 Handen, Sweden. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 48° 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	61° South in Autumn	71° South in Winter	51° 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 Handen, 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 Handen, Sweden.

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 Handen, Sweden

The landscape surrounding Handen, Sweden presents a diverse topography characteristic of the Stockholm archipelago region. Located approximately 20 kilometers southeast of Stockholm's city center, Handen sits within Haninge Municipality and features a varied terrain that transitions between rocky outcrops, gentle hills, and low-lying areas. The area exhibits a typical post-glacial landscape, shaped by the retreat of ice sheets thousands of years ago. This glacial history has left behind a mixture of exposed bedrock, primarily granite and gneiss, interspersed with patches of till and clay deposits in the lower elevations. The terrain generally slopes gently toward the Baltic Sea to the east, with elevations ranging from near sea level to modest hills reaching 50-70 meters above sea level.

Forest Cover and Clearings

Coniferous forest dominates much of the landscape around Handen, with pine and spruce being prevalent tree species. These wooded areas cover significant portions of the higher ground and rocky outcrops. Between these forested sections lie occasional clearings, agricultural fields, and residential developments that create a patchwork pattern across the landscape.

Water Features

The region contains numerous small lakes and ponds, with larger water bodies like Lake Drevviken to the northwest. The proximity to the Stockholm archipelago means the eastern portions of the area near Handen gradually transition into coastal landscapes with inlets and bays. These water features contribute to the fragmented nature of the available land.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development, several types of locations in the Handen vicinity show promise: Former quarries and industrial areas northwest of Handen offer already-disturbed land with minimal ecological value. These sites typically feature cleared, relatively flat terrain ideal for solar array installation, with reduced concerns about forest removal or habitat disruption. Agricultural lands to the southwest present another opportunity, particularly fields that may be less productive or those where agrivoltaic approaches (combining agriculture with solar power generation) could be implemented. These areas benefit from being relatively flat and already cleared of forest. The commercial and industrial zones around Handen center and along major transportation corridors contain extensive rooftop space suitable for solar deployment. While not traditional "topography," these built environments represent significant potential for solar development without consuming additional land resources. Areas to avoid include the densely forested hills, particularly to the east and northeast, where installation would require substantial forest clearing. Similarly, wetland areas and the shores of lakes and ponds should be excluded from consideration due to ecological sensitivity and potential flooding issues. The most promising larger-scale sites would be found in the slightly elevated, south-facing cleared areas that sit away from water bodies and residential centers. These locations combine favorable orientation with accessible terrain while minimizing potential land-use conflicts.

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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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.