Solar Energy Production in Sunne, Värmland County, Sweden

Sunne, Värmland County, Sweden, located at coordinates 59.8406, 13.1457 in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a challenging but workable location for solar PV energy generation with significant seasonal variations. The energy production pattern throughout the year reflects Sweden's northern latitude and characteristic seasonal changes. The solar energy output in Sunne follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer stands out as the most productive period, generating 5.61kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 4.12kWh/day. Energy production drops considerably in autumn to 1.45kWh/day, while winter sees minimal generation at just 0.57kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For fixed panel installations in Sunne, Värmland County, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 50 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize annual energy harvest considering Sunne's northern latitude and seasonal sun paths.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several significant factors can affect solar production at this location:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can cover panels and significantly reduce already low winter production
• Extended periods of cloud cover common in the region, particularly during autumn and winter
• Potential for frost and ice formation that can damage equipment or reduce efficiency
• Short winter days combined with low sun angle intensify the seasonal production disparity

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar energy production in Sunne despite these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Install panels at the recommended 50-degree tilt to help shed snow and maximize year-round production
• Consider snow removal systems or regular manual clearing during winter months
• Use high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions to improve performance during cloudy periods
• Implement robust mounting systems that can withstand potential snow loads and strong winds
• Consider supplementary energy sources for winter months when solar production is minimal

While Sunne's location presents challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper system design with the correct panel angle and appropriate preventative measures can still make solar PV a viable part of the local energy mix, particularly during the highly productive summer and spring seasons.

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 Sunne

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 59.8406, Longitude: 13.1457 (Sunne, 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 50° South in Sunne, Sweden

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sunne, Sweden (Lat/Long 59.8406, 13.1457) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 50° 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 Sunne, 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 Sunne, Sweden. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 50° 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	52° 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 Sunne, 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 Sunne, 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 Sunne, Sweden

The terrain surrounding Sunne, Sweden, presents a diverse and picturesque landscape characteristic of the Värmland region. Situated in a transitional zone between the flatter eastern Swedish plains and the more mountainous Norwegian border regions to the west, Sunne's topography features a pleasing mixture of gently rolling hills, forested ridges, and valley systems.

Landscape Features

Sunne is nestled along the shores of Lake Fryken, a long, narrow lake that forms part of a north-south oriented valley system. This glacially carved valley creates a distinctive corridor through the otherwise undulating terrain. The elevation around Sunne generally ranges from about 60-200 meters above sea level, with the town itself positioned at approximately 70 meters elevation. The surrounding landscape consists of numerous forest-covered hills interspersed with agricultural clearings and smaller water bodies. The region exhibits the classic post-glacial features common throughout central Sweden, including eskers, moraines, and occasional exposed bedrock outcroppings. The underlying geology is predominantly composed of ancient Precambrian basement rocks, primarily granites and gneisses.

Solar PV Potential Areas

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations near Sunne, several topographical factors become important. The most suitable areas would include: The south-facing slopes of the hills surrounding Lake Fryken offer promising potential for solar development. These inclined surfaces naturally optimize solar exposure compared to flat terrain, particularly at this northern latitude. The gentle to moderate gradients (typically 5-15%) found on many of these hillsides provide sufficient tilt without creating excessive installation challenges. Agricultural plateaus east of Sunne present another viable option. These relatively flat, open areas have already been cleared of forest cover and offer expanses that could accommodate larger installations. The slightly elevated nature of these plateaus (100-150m elevation) means they often rise above morning valley fog that can occasionally form over Lake Fryken. Former quarry or industrial sites in the region might also merit consideration. These disturbed lands typically have minimal ecological value and often feature favorable south-facing aspects where excavation has occurred.

Topographical Considerations

It's worth noting that the region's varied topography creates some limitations. The numerous lakes, streams, and wetlands that dot the landscape restrict continuous development in certain areas. Additionally, the extensive forest cover means that site preparation could involve more clearing than in naturally open landscapes. The northern latitude of Sunne (approximately 60°N) means that shadow effects from topographical features become more pronounced than in more southerly locations. Hills, even modest ones, can cast significant shadows during the low-angle winter sun periods. This makes careful site selection particularly important, with preference given to locations with minimal northern obstructions. The valley orientation around Lake Fryken (running roughly north-south) creates favorable eastern and western exposures on the valley sides, though careful analysis would be needed to determine optimal placement that maximizes exposure throughout the changing seasons.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.