Solar PV Analysis of Karlstad, Sweden
Karlstad, Värmland County, Sweden, is located in the Northern Temperate Zone. This means that it experiences different seasons throughout the year, which can impact its ability to generate energy from solar panels.
In summer, Karlstad can expect to generate about 5.69 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This is quite a good amount and makes summer an ideal time for generating solar energy at this location.
In autumn, the expected generation drops to 1.50 kWh/day per kW of installed solar power. This is significantly less than in summer but still provides some potential for energy generation.
In winter, the expected generation drops further to just 0.60 kWh/day per kW of installed solar power. The short daylight hours and low sun angle during winter months make this season not ideal for generating solar energy at this location.
Spring sees an increase again with about 4.20 kWh/day per kW of installed solar power expected to be generated - making it a better time than autumn or winter but still not as good as summer.
For fixed panel installations in Karlstad, Värmland County, tilting the panels at an angle of 49 degrees towards south will maximize total year-round production from these installations.
As far as environmental factors are concerned that could impede solar production at this location: Sweden has relatively long winters with low light conditions and snowfall which could cover up the panels reducing their efficiency; also frequent cloudy days might reduce sunlight exposure on panels affecting their output considerably - especially during non-summer months when sunlight hours are already limited due to geographical location.
To mitigate these issues: regular maintenance including cleaning off snow or debris from panels will help ensure they receive maximum possible sunlight; using technology like tracking mounts that follow the sun’s path across sky could also help optimize exposure on shorter winter days; moreover installing additional capacity might be considered so as compensate for lower productivity during non-summer months. Also, using high-quality panels designed to perform well under low-light conditions could be beneficial.
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 Karlstad
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 59.3974, Longitude: 13.5055 (Karlstad, 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 49° South in Karlstad, Sweden
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Karlstad, Sweden (Lat/Long 59.3974, 13.5055) 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 Karlstad, 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 Karlstad, Sweden. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43° South in Summer | 61° South in Autumn | 72° 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 Karlstad, 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 Karlstad, 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 Karlstad, Sweden
Karlstad, Sweden is located in the province of Värmland and is known for its flat landscape with some rolling hills. The city is situated near the delta of the Klarälven River at the northern shore of Lake Vänern, which is the largest lake in Sweden and third largest lake in Europe. The area around Karlstad features a mix of forests, farmland, and water bodies.
As for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, areas with open land that receive a good amount of sunlight would be most suitable. Given Karlstad's geographical location, it does not receive as much sunlight as countries closer to the equator. However, it can still harness solar energy effectively during summer months when daylight hours are long.
The flat farmlands surrounding Karlstad could be potential sites for large-scale solar PV installations as they provide unobstructed exposure to sunlight. Additionally, rooftops of large buildings within the city could also be utilized for installing solar panels.
It's important to note that any such project would need to consider environmental impacts and local regulations before proceeding with installation. For instance, if an area is designated as agricultural land or has significant biodiversity value, it might not be permissible or advisable to install a large-scale solar farm there.
Lastly on suitability assessment; factors like proximity to power grids for easy transmission and availability of infrastructure should also be considered alongside topography and sun exposure.
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: Wednesday 31st of January 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.
