Solar PV Analysis of Chur, Switzerland
The location at Chur, Grisons, Switzerland is somewhat ideal for generating energy through solar PV (Photovoltaic) systems year-round. However, it's not perfect because the amount of electricity that can be generated varies significantly throughout the year.
In simpler terms, a solar panel system installed here could produce an average of 5.67 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day in summer and 5.09 kWh/day in spring for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. That's pretty good! But in autumn, this drops to around 3.14 kWh/day and even further to just about 2.02 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar.
So what does this mean? The best times to generate solar power at this location are during the sunnier months - spring and summer - when there is more daylight and less cloud cover or snowfall blocking the sunlight from reaching your panels.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 41 degrees towards the south would help you get as much sunshine as possible over the course of a year, maximizing your total yearly energy production from these panels.
As far as local factors that could hinder solar production go: Chur is located within mountains which may cause shading issues depending on exact placement; also weather conditions like heavy snowfall or fog could reduce sunlight availability especially during winter months when days are shorter anyway.
To combat these potential issues: choosing a site with minimal shading should be prioritized when installing your panels; additionally incorporating equipment such as automatic snow removal devices or heating elements could help keep your panels clear during snowy periods; finally regular maintenance including cleaning off dust or debris will ensure maximum efficiency throughout all seasons.
In conclusion: While Chur isn't necessarily perfect for year-round high-levels-of-solar-production due to its seasonal variations in sunlight availability – with careful planning and maintenance it is still a viable location for solar power generation.
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 Chur
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.851, Longitude: 9.5389 (Chur, 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 Chur, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Chur, Switzerland (Lat/Long 46.851, 9.5389) 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 Chur, 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 Chur, 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 Chur, 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 Chur, 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 Chur, Switzerland
Chur is located in the eastern part of Switzerland and is nestled in a valley surrounded by several mountain ranges, including the Calanda to its north-west and Montalin to its south. The city itself sits at an elevation of around 600 meters above sea level, with surrounding peaks reaching up to 2800 meters.
The region's topography presents both challenges and opportunities for large-scale solar PV installations. The mountainous terrain could limit potential sites for ground-mounted solar farms, which require relatively flat land. However, the high altitudes could offer increased solar irradiance due to less atmospheric interference.
Potential locations for large-scale solar PV installations would primarily be on south-facing slopes or plateaus that receive ample sunlight throughout the year. It's also crucial that these locations are not shaded by mountains during significant parts of the day.
Additionally, rooftops within Chur city could also be suitable for smaller scale distributed PV systems. Large industrial or commercial buildings with flat roofs would be particularly well-suited as they often have ample unshaded space.
For any specific location, a detailed analysis considering factors like sun exposure (solar insolation), slope angle and orientation (azimuth), soil stability, access to transmission infrastructure etc., should be conducted before deciding on its suitability for a large-scale solar project.
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 27th 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.
