Flag of United States

Flag of SwitzerlandSolar PV Analysis of Carouge, Switzerland

Graph of hourly avg kWh electricity output per kW of Solar PV installed in Carouge, Switzerland (by season)

In Carouge, Geneva, Switzerland (latitude 46.1874, longitude 6.1428), the average daily energy production per kW of installed solar panels varies across seasons: 6.04 kWh in Summer, 3.15 kWh in Autumn, 1.63 kWh in Winter, and 4.94 kWh in Spring. With the highest energy generation occurring during Summer months due to longer daylight hours and increased temperatures, this location is suitable for year-round solar power production.

However, factors such as fog or heavy cloud cover can potentially reduce the efficiency of solar panels at this site. To optimize energy generation from a fixed panel installation at this location, it is recommended to tilt the panels at an angle of approximately 40 degrees facing South.

While Carouge's overall suitability for solar power generation is promising throughout the year despite seasonal fluctuations and occasional weather-related challenges; proper installation practices and maintenance can help ensure optimal performance of the solar panels under various environmental conditions that may arise locally.

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 Carouge

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.1874, Longitude: 6.1428 (Carouge, 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:

Summer
Average 6.04kWh/day in Summer.
Autumn
Average 3.15kWh/day in Autumn.
Winter
Average 1.63kWh/day in Winter.
Spring
Average 4.94kWh/day in Spring.

 

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 40° South in Carouge, Switzerland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Carouge, Switzerland (Lat/Long 46.1874, 6.1428) 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.

The sun
At Latitude: 46.1874, Longitude: 6.1428, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 40° South

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Carouge, 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 Carouge, 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 60° South in Winter 39° South in Spring

Assuming you can modify the tilt angle of your solar PV panels throughout the year, you can optimize your solar generation in Carouge, Switzerland as follows: In Summer, set the angle of your panels to 30° facing South. In Autumn, tilt panels to 50° facing South for maximum generation. During Winter, adjust your solar panels to a 60° angle towards the South for optimal energy production. Lastly, in Spring, position your panels at a 39° angle facing South to capture the most solar energy in Carouge, Switzerland.

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 Carouge, 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 Carouge, Switzerland.

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.






Please enter information above to calculate panel spacing.

Topography for solar PV around Carouge, Switzerland

The topography around Carouge, Switzerland is mainly flat with some rolling hills. The nearby areas that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV are the flat plains and low hills located south of the city. These areas have relatively consistent levels of sunlight throughout the year, making them ideal for solar energy production. Additionally, there are few obstacles such as trees or buildings in these areas which could block sunlight from reaching the solar panels.

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

Article: Solar PV Analysis of Carouge, Switzerland
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 24th of May 2023
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

"Genau wie die Sonne unsere Solarzellen befeuert, bringt uns der Kaffee auf Hochtouren für Forschung und Entwicklung – ganz nach dem Motto: "Hopp Schwiiz, hopp Kafi!"" 😊
Buy me a coffee - Thanks for your support!

Share this with your friends!



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.

Worldwide Solar PV Analysis of 20,000 Locations

Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site

profileSOLAR on YouTube

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.

Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle