Solar PV Analysis of Landvetter, Sweden
Landvetter, Västra Götaland County, Sweden, located at latitude 57.6828 and longitude 12.2103, presents a challenging environment for year-round solar energy generation. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which greatly impact the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy production in Landvetter varies dramatically throughout the year. Summer months offer the most favorable conditions, with an average daily output of 5.70 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, generating 4.24 kWh/day. However, the performance drops significantly during autumn and winter, with outputs of 1.66 kWh/day and a mere 0.71 kWh/day, respectively.
Optimal Installation Angle
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Landvetter, Västra Götaland County, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 48 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize the capture of available sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions.
Peak Generation Periods
The ideal times for solar energy generation in Landvetter are during the late spring, summer, and early autumn months. This period, roughly from May to September, offers longer daylight hours and higher sun angles, resulting in significantly increased solar output. However, energy production during the winter months is substantially reduced due to shorter days and lower sun angles.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several factors can impede solar production in Landvetter:
- Long, dark winters with very short daylight hours
- Frequent cloud cover and precipitation
- Potential snow accumulation on panels during winter months
To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:
- Install panels at the optimal 48-degree angle to maximize sunlight capture and promote snow sliding off
- Use high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions
- Implement a robust cleaning and maintenance schedule, especially for snow removal
- Consider incorporating a solar tracking system to further optimize energy capture
While Landvetter's location poses challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper system design and maintenance can still make solar PV a viable supplementary energy source, particularly during the more favorable months of the year.
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 Landvetter
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 57.6828, Longitude: 12.2103 (Landvetter, 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 Landvetter, Sweden
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Landvetter, Sweden (Lat/Long 57.6828, 12.2103) 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 Landvetter, 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 Landvetter, 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 | 59° 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 Landvetter, 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 Landvetter, 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 Landvetter, Sweden
The area around Landvetter, Sweden, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque landscape typical of the Scandinavian region. Situated in the western part of the country, Landvetter is part of Härryda Municipality in Västra Götaland County.
The topography of this area is generally characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys, interspersed with numerous lakes and forests. The terrain is a result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which sculpted the landscape and left behind many small lakes and ponds. The elevation in this region is relatively modest, with most areas ranging from about 100 to 200 meters above sea level.
Forests dominate much of the landscape around Landvetter, primarily consisting of coniferous trees such as pine and spruce, mixed with some deciduous species like birch. These wooded areas are interspersed with clearings, meadows, and agricultural fields, creating a patchwork of green spaces.
The presence of numerous water bodies is a notable feature of the topography. Lakes of various sizes dot the landscape, with some larger ones like Landvettersjön (Lake Landvetter) located near the town. These lakes are often surrounded by rocky shores and forested areas, adding to the scenic beauty of the region.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the topography presents both opportunities and challenges. The most suitable areas for solar farms would likely be:
- Open agricultural lands: Flat or gently sloping fields that are not heavily forested would be ideal for solar panel installation. These areas offer the advantage of minimal land clearing requirements and good sun exposure.
- Cleared hilltops: Elevated areas with good sun exposure throughout the day could be suitable, provided they are not too steep or difficult to access.
- Former industrial or commercial sites: Any large, open areas that have already been developed but are no longer in use could be repurposed for solar farms, minimizing environmental impact.
However, it's important to note that the high latitude of Landvetter (around 57.6828° N) means that solar irradiance is lower compared to more southern locations, especially during winter months. This factor, combined with the relatively frequent cloud cover in the region, may impact the overall efficiency and economic viability of large-scale solar PV projects.
Additionally, the presence of forests and water bodies may limit the available contiguous land for very large installations. Any solar project would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, particularly regarding forest preservation and wildlife habitats.
In conclusion, while the topography around Landvetter offers some potential for solar PV development, particularly in open agricultural areas or on suitable hilltops, the climate and landscape characteristics present challenges that would need to be carefully evaluated in any large-scale solar energy project.
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 30th 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.
