Kisa, Östergötland County, Sweden, located at coordinates 57.9919, 15.6437 in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents specific seasonal variations for solar PV energy generation. The location experiences significant fluctuations in solar production throughout the year, with marked differences between summer and winter outputs.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy generation in Kisa follows predictable seasonal patterns. During summer, panels produce an impressive 5.59 kWh per day for each kilowatt installed, making this the prime season for solar energy collection. Spring also offers strong generation potential at 4.25 kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

In contrast, autumn sees a substantial drop to 1.66 kWh/day, while winter production falls dramatically to just 0.70 kWh/day per kilowatt installed. This creates a roughly 8:1 ratio between summer and winter production, highlighting the seasonal nature of solar generation at this northern latitude.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Kisa, Östergötland County, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 48 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar collection across all seasons, accounting for the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors can impact solar production in Kisa. Snow accumulation during winter months can significantly reduce output by blocking sunlight from reaching panel surfaces. Installing panels at the recommended 48-degree angle helps with natural snow shedding, while periodic manual clearing may be necessary during heavy snowfall periods.

Tree shading can also be problematic in this forested region of Sweden. A thorough site assessment before installation to identify potential shading issues is essential, possibly requiring selective tree removal or positioning panels in open areas.

Additionally, the high latitude location experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly during autumn and winter. Using high-efficiency panels designed to perform better in diffuse light conditions can help mitigate this challenge.

Practical Implications

Given the significant seasonal variation, solar installations in Kisa would benefit from being part of a hybrid energy system rather than serving as a standalone power source. The strong summer production could potentially generate surplus energy for storage or grid contribution, while alternative energy sources would need to supplement the minimal winter output.

Overall, while Kisa isn't ideal for year-round solar production compared to locations closer to the equator, strategic installation and system design can still make solar PV a valuable component of the local energy mix, particularly during the productive summer and spring months.

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 Kisa

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 57.9919, Longitude: 15.6437 (Kisa, 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 Kisa, Sweden

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kisa, Sweden (Lat/Long 57.9919, 15.6437) 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 Kisa, 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 Kisa, 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
41° South in Summer	60° South in Autumn	70° 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 Kisa, 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 Kisa, 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 Kisa, Sweden

The landscape surrounding Kisa, Sweden, located in Östergötland County, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography typical of southern Sweden's interior. This area features a gentle rolling terrain with modest elevation changes, creating a patchwork of small hills, shallow valleys, and numerous lakes scattered throughout the region. The elevation generally ranges between 100-200 meters above sea level, with some areas rising slightly higher in the surrounding countryside. Kisa itself sits in a small valley area, with forested hills rising gradually around the settlement. The region is part of the southern Swedish highlands, though the relief is considerably less dramatic than mountainous regions further north in the country. Numerous small streams and waterways dissect the landscape, eventually feeding into larger lake systems that dot the region.

Forest Coverage and Land Use

The area around Kisa is predominantly covered by coniferous and mixed forests, a defining feature of this part of Sweden. Pine and spruce dominate these woodlands, interspersed with deciduous trees such as birch and aspen. These forests create significant areas of shade and natural coverage across much of the landscape. Between these forested areas lie occasional clearings, agricultural fields, and meadows. The agricultural land tends to occupy flatter terrain and valley bottoms, while the forests typically cover the hillier sections. This mosaic of forest and open land creates a varied landscape with differing potential for solar development.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations near Kisa, several topographical factors should be considered. The most suitable areas would be: The cleared agricultural lands south and southeast of Kisa present good opportunities for solar development. These areas tend to have gentler slopes with southern exposures, maximizing solar gain throughout the year. The relatively open terrain in these agricultural zones means less natural shading from forests. Several plateaus and higher elevation clearings within 10-15 kilometers of Kisa offer potential sites where solar panels could be positioned to maximize exposure. These elevated areas often experience less ground fog than the valleys and benefit from unobstructed solar access. The moderately sloped hillsides with southern, southeastern, and southwestern aspects provide natural advantages for solar collection. These slopes receive more direct sunlight than flat terrain, particularly during spring and autumn when the sun is lower in the sky.

Challenging Topography for Solar Development

Not all areas around Kisa are equally suitable for solar PV installations. The densely forested sections, particularly on north-facing slopes, would require significant clearing and present greater environmental disruption. The numerous lakes and wetlands, while scenic, limit available land for development and may create microclimatic conditions with increased morning fog or mist. The valley bottoms, while flat and potentially accessible, may experience more days with fog or reduced visibility, particularly during autumn and winter months. Additionally, some of the steeper terrain would present construction challenges and increased costs for large-scale installations. In summary, the varied topography around Kisa offers several promising options for solar PV development, particularly on south-facing cleared lands and gentle slopes. The most suitable projects would likely focus on the agricultural areas and cleared plateaus where the natural topography supports maximum solar exposure while minimizing environmental impact and development costs.

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.