Solar PV Analysis of Kungshamn, Sweden
Kungshamn, Västra Götaland County, Sweden, situated at coordinates 58.367, 11.2587, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this coastal town experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily output of 5.96 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 4.42 kWh per day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn, with only 1.64 kWh per day, and plummets to a mere 0.63 kWh per day in winter.
These figures highlight the stark contrast between the long, sunny days of summer and the short, dark days of winter at this latitude. The substantial difference in seasonal output means that solar energy production in Kungshamn is highly skewed towards the warmer months.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Kungshamn, Västra Götaland County, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 49-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and the sun's position throughout the year, ensuring the best possible exposure to sunlight across all seasons.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several factors can impact solar production in Kungshamn:
- Long winter nights: The high latitude results in extremely short days during winter, severely limiting solar generation.
- Cloud cover: The coastal location can lead to frequent cloud cover, reducing solar irradiance.
- Snow and ice: Winter accumulation on panels can temporarily halt production.
To mitigate these challenges, consider installing snow guards or heating elements to prevent snow buildup. Using high-efficiency panels can help maximize production during limited daylight hours. Regular cleaning and maintenance are crucial to ensure optimal performance year-round.
In conclusion, while Kungshamn's location is far from ideal for year-round solar energy production, the excellent summer performance can still make solar PV a viable option, especially when combined with other renewable energy sources or storage solutions to balance the seasonal variations.
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 Kungshamn
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 58.367, Longitude: 11.2587 (Kungshamn, 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 Kungshamn, Sweden
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kungshamn, Sweden (Lat/Long 58.367, 11.2587) 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 Kungshamn, 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 Kungshamn, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Kungshamn, 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 Kungshamn, 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 Kungshamn, Sweden
Kungshamn, located on the western coast of Sweden, is characterized by a diverse and rugged topography typical of the region. The area around Kungshamn features a mix of rocky coastal landscapes, small islands, and inland terrain with gentle hills and valleys.
The immediate coastline is dominated by smooth, rounded granite outcrops and small rocky islands known as skerries. These formations are the result of ancient glacial activity that shaped the landscape thousands of years ago. The shoreline is irregular, with numerous small bays and inlets creating a complex coastal environment.
Moving inland from the coast, the terrain becomes slightly more elevated but remains relatively low-lying. The landscape is a patchwork of small forested areas, open fields, and scattered rocky outcrops. Small lakes and ponds dot the area, interspersed with areas of wetland and marshes.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas would likely be found slightly inland from Kungshamn. The coastal areas, while scenic, are often too rocky and irregular for efficient solar panel placement. Instead, the gently rolling terrain further inland offers more promise for solar energy development.
Ideal locations for solar farms would be open, south-facing slopes or flat areas with good exposure to sunlight. These could include former agricultural lands or cleared areas that are not currently forested. It's important to note that while Sweden has long summer days, its high latitude means that winter sunlight is limited, which affects overall solar energy potential.
Any large-scale solar project would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, as the region around Kungshamn is known for its natural beauty and ecological importance. Planners would need to balance energy production goals with preservation of the local landscape and ecosystems.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 18th of August 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.
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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.
