Solar PV Analysis of Basel, Switzerland
The location at Basel, Switzerland is fairly good for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, it's not ideal in all seasons due to variations in sunlight intensity and duration.
In simple terms, a solar panel here can produce about 5.74 units of electricity per day during summer when the sun shines brightest and longest. This decreases to around 3.02 units per day in autumn as days get shorter and the sun lower in the sky.
Winter sees a further drop with only about 1.45 units of electricity produced daily because of short daylight hours and often overcast skies, but production increases again to around 4.89 units per day during spring as days lengthen and sun gets stronger.
So if you're considering installing solar panels at this location, they will be most efficient during summer followed by spring while winter will be least productive.
As for how these panels should be installed, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 41 degrees facing southwards which allows them to capture maximum sunlight throughout the year.
There could also be some local factors that might affect solar production like cloudy or rainy weather that reduces sunlight exposure or snowfall that can cover up panels reducing their efficiency significantly especially during winter months. Buildings or trees may also cast shadows on your panels if they are nearby which would reduce their productivity too.
To overcome these challenges one could consider installing more efficient types of solar cells (like monocrystalline) which perform better under low light conditions; incorporating motorised tracking systems so your panels follow the path of the sun across the sky; regularly cleaning off any dust or snow build-up from your panels; and ensuring there are no obstructions blocking direct sunlight onto them 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 Basel
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.5702, Longitude: 7.6187 (Basel, 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 41° South in Basel, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Basel, Switzerland (Lat/Long 47.5702, 7.6187) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 41° 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 Basel, 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 Basel, Switzerland. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 41° 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 | 51° 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 Basel, 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 Basel, 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 Basel, Switzerland
Basel, Switzerland is located in the northwest corner of the country near both the French and German borders. The topography of Basel is relatively flat as it lies on the Rhine River plain but surrounded by small hills and mountains at a short distance. The Black Forest to the north in Germany and Jura Mountains to the south-west in France are within close proximity.
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, flat or gently sloping areas are generally preferred because they require less site preparation, are easier to install equipment on, and can more effectively capture sunlight when panels are properly oriented. Considering this, several areas around Basel could potentially be suited for large-scale solar PV.
1. The Rhine River plain: This area's relatively flat terrain would likely make it suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
2. Industrial Areas: Large rooftops of factories or warehouses could also be used for installing Solar PV systems.
3. Agricultural land: Some parts of agricultural lands that aren't highly productive could be potential sites if dual-use (agrivoltaics) is considered where farming and power generation co-exist.
4. Outskirts of Basel: Less densely populated areas with open spaces can also serve as good locations for such projects.
However, each potential site would need to undergo a detailed assessment considering various factors like local climate conditions (solar irradiation levels), land use regulations, environmental impact etc., before deciding on its suitability for large scale solar PV installation.
Also remember that Switzerland has specific laws regarding nature conservation so any project will have to ensure minimal impact on natural habitats.
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: Thursday 4th of April 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.
