Solar PV Analysis of Altendorf, Switzerland
Altendorf, Schwyz, Switzerland, situated at 47.1738° N latitude and 8.8287° E longitude, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.71 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.85 kWh/day. These seasons offer ideal conditions for solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies.
Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production, yielding 2.99 kWh/day. Winter presents the greatest challenge, with output dropping to just 1.52 kWh/day per kW installed. This substantial seasonal variation highlights the importance of proper system sizing to meet year-round energy needs.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Altendorf, Schwyz, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 40-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle helps balance energy capture across seasons, particularly enhancing performance during the less productive autumn and winter months.
Environmental Considerations
While Altendorf's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
- Fog, common in the region, may occasionally diminish solar irradiance
To mitigate these issues, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote snow sliding off and using anti-reflective coatings to improve performance in diffuse light conditions. Regular maintenance, including snow removal, is also crucial for optimal year-round performance.
Despite these challenges, with proper planning and installation, Altendorf can effectively harness solar energy, particularly capitalizing on the highly productive summer and spring seasons to offset lower winter output.
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 Altendorf
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.1738, Longitude: 8.8287 (Altendorf, 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 Altendorf, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Altendorf, Switzerland (Lat/Long 47.1738, 8.8287) 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 Altendorf, 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 Altendorf, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30° 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 Altendorf, 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 Altendorf, 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 Altendorf, Switzerland
The area around Altendorf, Switzerland, is characterized by diverse and picturesque topography typical of the Swiss pre-Alps region. Altendorf itself is situated on the southern shore of Lake Zurich, nestled between the lake and the surrounding hills and mountains.
To the north of Altendorf, the landscape is dominated by the expansive Lake Zurich, which provides a flat water surface. The shoreline gently rises from the lake, creating a narrow strip of relatively level land where much of the town is built. This area gradually transitions into rolling hills as you move away from the lake.
To the south and east, the terrain becomes more dramatic, with steep hills and mountains rising quickly from the lakeshore. These hills are part of the larger pre-Alpine landscape and include forested slopes, meadows, and some rocky outcroppings. The elevation increases significantly as you move further south, leading into the higher Alps.
To the west, the land is generally flatter, with the lakeshore widening into a broader plain known as the Linth Plain. This area features a mix of agricultural land, small settlements, and some wetland areas near the Linth Canal.
Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas near Altendorf would likely be found in the flatter regions to the west, particularly in the Linth Plain. This area offers several advantages for solar energy production:
- It has more open, level ground that could accommodate large solar arrays without requiring significant terrain modification.
- The lower elevation and lack of tall mountains to the south mean less shading from natural features.
- The agricultural nature of the land might allow for dual-use projects, combining farming with solar energy production.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, agricultural land use, and local regulations. The immediate vicinity of Altendorf, with its steeper terrain and proximity to the lake, is less ideal for large solar installations but could potentially support smaller, distributed solar projects on building rooftops or suitable hillside locations.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 9th of September 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.
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