Visby, Gotland County, Sweden, located at latitude 57.6428 and longitude 18.2896 in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a challenging but workable location for solar PV energy generation. The seasonal variations in energy production are quite pronounced, with significant differences between summer and winter outputs.

Solar energy generation at this location follows a predictable seasonal pattern. During summer months, panels can produce an impressive 6.23kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring is the second most productive season, generating 4.51kWh/day per installed kW. Production drops considerably in autumn to 1.70kWh/day, while winter sees minimal generation at just 0.62kWh/day per installed kW.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Visby, Gotland County, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 47 degrees facing South. This carefully calculated angle balances the seasonal variations in sun position throughout the year to capture the maximum possible solar energy across all seasons.

Seasonal Considerations

The dramatic difference between summer and winter production (nearly 10 times more energy in summer) indicates that Visby is far from an ideal year-round solar location. However, the combined spring and summer production makes solar viable as a significant energy contributor for approximately half the year. System sizing should account for these seasonal variations, potentially requiring alternative energy sources during the low-production winter months.

Environmental Challenges

Several environmental factors can impact solar production in Visby:

• Snow accumulation in winter can completely block panels, further reducing the already minimal winter production
• Baltic Sea coastal location means increased salt spray exposure, which can gradually degrade panel efficiency
• Northern latitude brings extended periods of low sun angle, increasing losses due to reflection

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several installation strategies can help:

• Install panels with steep enough angles (the recommended 47 degrees) to facilitate snow sliding off
• Use regular cleaning regimens to remove salt deposits, particularly after stormy periods
• Consider anti-reflective coatings specifically designed for low-angle sunlight
• Implement cold-weather rated equipment that maintains efficiency at lower temperatures
• Consider dual-axis tracking systems for commercial installations to maximize the limited winter sunlight

While not ideal for year-round production, Visby can still benefit from solar PV, especially when systems are properly sized with seasonal production patterns in mind and complemented by other energy sources during the low-production winter months.

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 Visby

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 57.6428, Longitude: 18.2896 (Visby, 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 47° South in Visby, Sweden

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Visby, Sweden (Lat/Long 57.6428, 18.2896) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 47° 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 Visby, 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 Visby, Sweden. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 47° 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	49° 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 Visby, 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 Visby, 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 Visby, Sweden

The topography around Visby, Sweden presents a fascinating landscape shaped by geological processes over millennia. Located on the western coast of Gotland, Sweden's largest island, Visby sits on relatively flat limestone bedrock. The immediate area around the city features a distinctive limestone plateau that gently slopes toward the Baltic Sea, creating modest elevation changes rather than dramatic relief. The coastal area where Visby is situated includes low cliffs that drop to the sea, with the medieval walled city itself built on a slight incline rising from the harbor. Moving inland from Visby, the terrain remains predominantly flat to gently rolling, with occasional shallow depressions and subtle ridges. This limestone plateau that characterizes much of Gotland creates an open landscape with thin soil layers covering the bedrock.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas near Visby offer promising conditions. The open agricultural lands to the south and east of Visby present particularly suitable topography for solar development. These areas combine relatively flat terrain with minimal shadowing from natural features, creating ideal conditions for solar panel arrays. The limestone plateau regions extending inland from Visby offer extensive open spaces with limited tree cover, minimizing natural shading issues that would reduce solar collection efficiency. These areas also benefit from the reflective quality of the limestone-based soils, which can marginally enhance solar radiation capture. Northern areas of Gotland, while still relatively flat, feature more forested sections that would require clearing for large-scale installations, making them somewhat less ideal than the naturally open agricultural areas to the south. The coastal areas immediately adjacent to Visby, while enjoying good exposure, are generally more valuable for tourism and residential development, making them economically less suitable for extensive solar installations. The central portions of Gotland, accessible within a short drive from Visby, combine advantageous topographical features: minimal elevation changes, good drainage due to the limestone substrate, and expansive open areas. These characteristics make these regions particularly well-suited for large-scale solar PV development, offering the combination of favorable natural conditions and practical accessibility from Visby's infrastructure.

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.