Sigtuna, Stockholm County, Sweden, situated at latitude 59.6135 and longitude 17.7256, experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production potential throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone demonstrates the challenges and opportunities of solar power generation at higher latitudes.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy generation at this location shows dramatic seasonal differences. During summer, solar panels produce an impressive 5.76 kWh per day for each kilowatt installed, making it the most productive season. Spring follows with a solid 4.03 kWh/day, while autumn drops considerably to 1.53 kWh/day. Winter presents the greatest challenge with merely 0.55 kWh/day, less than one-tenth of summer production.

For fixed solar panel installations in Sigtuna, Stockholm County, the ideal tilt angle is 49 degrees facing South. This specific angle maximizes year-round energy production by optimizing the capture of available sunlight across all seasons.

Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

Several environmental factors significantly impact solar production at this northern location:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can completely cover panels, blocking sunlight. Installing panels at the steep 49-degree angle helps shed snow naturally, but additional snow removal systems may be necessary.
• Extended periods of overcast conditions, particularly common during autumn and winter, substantially reduce solar irradiance. Using high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions can help maximize output during these periods.
• Low ambient temperatures, while actually beneficial for panel efficiency, can create issues with component durability. Using cold-weather rated equipment ensures system longevity.
• Frost formation on panels at dawn can delay morning production. Anti-frost coatings or heating elements can address this issue in critical installations.

The stark contrast between summer and winter production means that seasonal energy storage solutions or grid integration are particularly important for year-round reliability. During the productive summer months, excess energy can be stored or fed into the grid to offset the minimal winter generation.

Despite the challenges, Sigtuna's location can still be viable for solar energy, particularly if installations are optimized for the local conditions and paired with complementary renewable energy sources 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 Sigtuna

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 59.6135, Longitude: 17.7256 (Sigtuna, 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 Sigtuna, Sweden

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sigtuna, Sweden (Lat/Long 59.6135, 17.7256) 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 Sigtuna, 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 Sigtuna, 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 Sigtuna, 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 Sigtuna, 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 Sigtuna, Sweden

Sigtuna, one of Sweden's oldest towns, sits on the shores of Lake Mälaren, approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Stockholm. The topography around Sigtuna is characterized by gentle rolling terrain typical of the Swedish lowlands in the Mälaren Valley region. The landscape features a mix of modest hills, shallow valleys, and flat areas, with elevations generally ranging between 5 and 40 meters above sea level. The immediate vicinity of Sigtuna is marked by the intricate shoreline of Lake Mälaren, which creates numerous bays and inlets. This large freshwater lake dominates the southern aspect of the area, while the northern terrain transitions into more forested and agricultural land. Small streams and drainage patterns cut through the landscape, creating natural divisions in the topography.

Geological Features

The underlying geology of the Sigtuna area consists primarily of bedrock formed from ancient Precambrian formations, mostly granite and gneiss, covered by glacial deposits. These deposits were left behind when the Scandinavian ice sheet retreated approximately 10,000 years ago. The soil composition varies from clay-rich areas near the lake to more sandy and loamy soils in slightly elevated positions. Forest cover is significant in the region, with coniferous trees dominating the higher ground and mixed deciduous woodland appearing in more sheltered locations. Agricultural fields occupy many of the flatter areas where the soil is suitable for cultivation.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

When considering areas near Sigtuna for large-scale solar photovoltaic development, several factors related to topography become important. The most suitable locations would include: The agricultural plains north and northwest of Sigtuna offer relatively flat terrain with minimal shading issues. These areas provide good exposure to the southern sky, which is essential for maximizing solar energy capture in the northern hemisphere. The gentle slopes in these areas, particularly those with a southern aspect, could potentially increase energy yield compared to perfectly flat installations. Former quarries or brownfield sites in the vicinity, such as those near Märsta (just east of Sigtuna), present opportunities for solar development without disrupting agricultural land. These areas often have already-disturbed land that can be repurposed effectively. The slightly elevated plateaus between Sigtuna and Arlanda Airport provide good solar exposure with minimal fog effects from Lake Mälaren. These areas benefit from being above the immediate influence of morning mist that can sometimes linger over the lake and lower-lying areas. A crucial topographical consideration for solar development in this region is avoiding north-facing slopes, which receive significantly less solar radiation at this northern latitude. Similarly, heavily forested areas would require clearing, creating both environmental concerns and additional development costs. The clay-rich soils common in parts of the region may present engineering challenges for mounting systems, potentially requiring more substantial foundations than would be needed in areas with more stable, well-draining soil types. Areas immediately adjacent to Lake Mälaren, while scenic, may experience more frequent fog and mist conditions, which could marginally reduce solar performance compared to slightly more elevated inland sites.

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.