Solar PV Analysis of Affoltern Am Albis, Switzerland
Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland is a decent location for generating solar power throughout the year. The amount of electricity you can expect to produce from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies by season. In summer, you can expect about 5.71 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day, in autumn it's about 2.99 kWh/day, in winter it drops to 1.52 kWh/day and in spring it goes up again to around 4.85 kWh/day.
This means that the best times of year for generating solar power at this location are during the summer and spring seasons when sunlight is more abundant compared with autumn and winter where there are shorter daylight hours and potentially more cloudy days.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, they should ideally be fixed at an angle facing south at around 40 degrees tilt. This will make sure they capture as much sunlight as possible over the course of each day.
As for potential obstacles to producing solar energy here, weather could play a significant role since Switzerland experiences seasonal changes including snowfall during winter which could cover your panels reducing their efficiency or even damaging them if not properly maintained or protected.
Also keep in mind that Affoltern am Albis is situated within hilly terrain so depending on exact placement shadows from nearby hills or trees could also affect production especially during low sun periods such as early morning or late afternoon.
To ensure greater energy production despite these factors, consider installing panel mounts that allow adjusting angles according to season changes; regular cleaning especially after snowfalls; using durable materials designed for colder climates; and careful site selection avoiding shadowy areas where possible.
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 245 locations across Switzerland. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Switzerland by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Affoltern Am Albis
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.2839, Longitude: 8.4632 (Affoltern Am Albis, Switzerland), 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 40° South in Affoltern Am Albis, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Affoltern Am Albis, Switzerland (Lat/Long 47.2839, 8.4632) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 40° 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 Affoltern Am Albis, Switzerland
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 Affoltern Am Albis, Switzerland. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 40° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 61° South in Winter | 40° 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 Affoltern Am Albis, Switzerland
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 Affoltern Am Albis, Switzerland.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Affoltern Am Albis, Switzerland
Affoltern am Albis is located in the Swiss Plateau, surrounded by a mix of flat lands and rolling hills. The region has a moderate elevation with several small rivers flowing through it. It is characterized by agricultural fields, forests, and urban development.
As for solar PV potential, areas with less shading (like open fields or hilltops) would be more suitable to install large-scale solar photovoltaic systems. However, the specific suitability would depend on factors like local regulations about land use and environmental protection.
In Switzerland, rooftops are often used for installing solar panels due to its densely populated nature. The roofs of large buildings in Affoltern am Albis such as commercial properties or warehouses could potentially be used for this purpose.
Another possible location could be along transportation infrastructure like highways or railway lines where the land is already disturbed and less likely to have conflicts with other uses or environmental concerns.
However, before any installation can happen an extensive site survey including aspects such as sun exposure throughout the year (solar irradiance), soil stability (for ground-mounted systems), connection to power grid etc., needs to be performed by professionals.
Switzerland solar PV Stats as a country
Switzerland ranks 25th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 3,449 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 4.70% of Switzerland's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 16th in the world). Each year Switzerland is generating 399 Watts from solar PV per capita (Switzerland ranks 6th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Switzerland?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) offers a range of financial support measures for businesses that want to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include grants, loans and tax deductions. Additionally, the Swiss government has set up a feed-in tariff system which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar power. This helps to make investing in solar energy more attractive for businesses.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Switzerland? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 6th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
