Vedum, Västra Götaland County, Sweden presents significant challenges for year-round solar energy generation due to its northern latitude position in the Northern Temperate Zone. The location experiences dramatic seasonal variations in solar output that make it far from ideal for consistent solar power production throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at Vedum varies dramatically across the seasons. Summer provides the most productive period, generating 5.71 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. This represents excellent solar conditions when the sun reaches its highest angles and daylight extends considerably. Spring offers the second-best performance at 4.23 kWh per day per kW, making it another favorable season for solar generation. However, autumn drops significantly to just 1.57 kWh per day per kW, while winter plummets to a mere 0.59 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Vedum, Västra Götaland County, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 48 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and accounts for seasonal sun angle variations, Earth's elliptical orbit, and weighted solar irradiance data to optimize total annual output.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several significant environmental factors can impede solar production at this Swedish location:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can completely block solar panels
• Frequent cloud cover and overcast skies typical of Scandinavian weather
• Ice formation on panel surfaces during freeze-thaw cycles
• Reduced atmospheric clarity during winter months

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be considered:

• Install panels at steeper angles (closer to 60 degrees) to promote natural snow shedding
• Ensure adequate spacing between panel rows to prevent snow buildup and shading
• Use mounting systems that allow for easy snow removal access
• Consider anti-reflective coatings that perform better in low-light conditions
• Install heating elements or snow-melting systems for critical installations

Regular maintenance becomes crucial during winter months, including snow removal and ice clearing. The dramatic difference between summer and winter production means that energy storage systems or grid-tie arrangements are essential for year-round energy security. Overall, while Vedum can achieve reasonable solar production during summer and spring months, the location is not ideal for year-round solar energy generation due to the severe winter production limitations and weather-related challenges typical of northern Sweden.

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 Vedum

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 58.1668, Longitude: 12.9789 (Vedum, 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 Vedum, Sweden

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Vedum, Sweden (Lat/Long 58.1668, 12.9789) 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 Vedum, 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 Vedum, 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	60° 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 Vedum, 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 Vedum, 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 Vedum, Sweden

Topographical Features Around Vedum

Vedum is situated in the Västra Götaland region of southwestern Sweden, positioned within a landscape characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively modest elevation changes typical of the Swedish lowlands. The terrain around this small community consists primarily of undulating farmland interspersed with patches of mixed forest, creating a mosaic of agricultural fields and woodland areas that define much of this part of Sweden.

The elevation in the immediate vicinity of Vedum ranges from approximately 50 to 150 meters above sea level, with the land gradually rising and falling in gentle slopes rather than dramatic inclines. This subdued topography is part of the broader Västergötland plain, an area that has been shaped by ancient glacial activity which left behind fertile soils and a relatively smooth landscape profile.

Small streams and waterways meander through the area, creating minor valleys and depressions in the otherwise even terrain. These water features, while not dramatically altering the landscape, do create some variation in the local topography and support the lush vegetation that characterizes the region during the growing season.

Forest Cover and Land Use Patterns

The landscape surrounding Vedum displays a typical Swedish rural pattern of mixed land use. Coniferous forests dominated by spruce and pine trees occupy significant portions of the area, particularly on slightly elevated ground and areas less suitable for agriculture. These forested sections create natural windbreaks and contribute to the varied topographical character of the region.

Agricultural land makes up a substantial portion of the terrain, with fields of varying sizes scattered throughout the area. These cultivated areas tend to occupy the flatter, more accessible portions of the landscape where the soil conditions are most favorable for farming activities. The agricultural fields are typically separated by tree lines, stone walls, or natural vegetation boundaries that follow the gentle contours of the land.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Vedum would be the expansive agricultural fields that occupy the flatter portions of the terrain, particularly those with southern-facing slopes or level ground. These areas offer several advantages including minimal shading from surrounding vegetation, good accessibility for construction and maintenance vehicles, and sufficient space for extensive solar arrays.

Fields positioned on gentle south-facing slopes would be particularly well-suited for solar development, as the natural inclination of the land could complement the optimal tilt angles for solar panels. The open agricultural areas also tend to have fewer obstacles such as large trees or buildings that might cast shadows across potential solar installations.

Areas that should be avoided for large-scale solar development include the more heavily forested sections where tree removal would be necessary, steep slopes that might present installation challenges, and low-lying areas near streams or wetlands where drainage could be problematic. The northern-facing slopes, while not necessarily unsuitable, would be less optimal compared to level ground or southern exposures.

The existing agricultural infrastructure in many of these areas, including access roads and proximity to electrical grid connections, could facilitate the development of solar installations. Many of the larger, consolidated agricultural fields would provide the space necessary for utility-scale solar projects while minimizing the environmental impact on forested areas that provide important ecological benefits to 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.