Vaxholm, Stockholm County, Sweden, situated at latitude 59.3963 and longitude 18.3353, presents a challenging environment for year-round solar energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in daylight hours and solar intensity, which greatly impact the potential for solar PV energy production.

Seasonal Solar Output

The solar energy output at this location varies dramatically throughout the year. Summer proves to be the most productive season, with an average daily output of 6.10 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 4.18 kWh per day. However, autumn and winter see a sharp decline in energy production, with outputs of 1.48 kWh and 0.48 kWh per day, respectively.

Optimal Generation Periods

The ideal times for solar energy generation in Vaxholm are clearly during the summer months, typically from June to August, when daylight hours are longest and solar intensity is at its peak. Spring, particularly from April to May, also offers good potential for solar energy production. These periods should be leveraged to maximize energy generation and potentially store excess energy for use during less productive seasons.

Panel Installation Considerations

To optimize year-round solar production at this location, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 49 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to maximize total annual energy production, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the site's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several significant factors can impede solar production in Vaxholm:

1. Long, dark winters: The location's high latitude results in extremely short days during winter, severely limiting solar energy production.
2. Snow and ice accumulation: Winter precipitation can cover solar panels, reducing their efficiency.
3. Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, which can significantly reduce solar irradiance.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these challenges and enhance energy production, consider the following measures:

• Install snow guards or heating elements to prevent snow accumulation on panels.
• Use high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions to maximize output during overcast days.
• Implement a robust cleaning and maintenance schedule to ensure panels remain free from debris and ice.
• Consider complementary renewable energy sources, such as wind power, to offset the low solar production during winter months.

While Vaxholm's location poses challenges for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and appropriate technology can still make solar PV a viable part of the local energy mix, particularly when combined with other renewable sources and energy storage solutions.

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 Vaxholm

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 59.3963, Longitude: 18.3353 (Vaxholm, 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 Vaxholm, Sweden

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Vaxholm, Sweden (Lat/Long 59.3963, 18.3353) 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 Vaxholm, 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 Vaxholm, 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	61° South in Autumn	71° 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 Vaxholm, 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 Vaxholm, 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 Vaxholm, Sweden

The topography around Vaxholm, Sweden, is characterized by its coastal archipelago setting. Situated approximately 30 kilometers east of Stockholm, Vaxholm is part of the Stockholm archipelago, a collection of thousands of islands and islets in the Baltic Sea. The landscape is a mix of rocky outcrops, forested areas, and numerous small islands separated by narrow waterways. The terrain in and around Vaxholm is generally low-lying, with gentle hills and rocky formations. The highest points in the area typically don't exceed 30-40 meters above sea level. The coastline is irregular, with many bays, inlets, and small peninsulas creating a complex shoreline. This varied topography is a result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which shaped the bedrock and left behind a scattering of erratic boulders. Forests, primarily consisting of pine and spruce trees, cover much of the land area on the larger islands. These wooded areas are interspersed with open clearings, small fields, and rocky outcrops. The smaller islands and skerries often feature bare rock surfaces with minimal vegetation.

Potential Areas for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors need to be taken into account. The ideal location would have ample open space, minimal shading, and good access to the electrical grid. The mainland areas to the west of Vaxholm, particularly in the direction of Stockholm, might offer more suitable locations for large-scale solar PV projects. These areas tend to have larger continuous land parcels and are less fragmented than the archipelago itself. Open fields or former industrial sites in municipalities like Österåker or Täby could potentially accommodate solar farms. However, it's important to note that the Stockholm region, including the area around Vaxholm, is relatively densely populated and has significant natural and cultural heritage value. This could limit the availability of large, uninterrupted areas for solar PV installations. Additionally, while Sweden's high latitude results in long summer days, it also means shorter winter days with less intense sunlight. This factor, combined with potential snow cover in winter, would need to be carefully considered when planning any large-scale solar PV project in the region.

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.