Courtepin, Fribourg, Switzerland presents variable conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, with significant seasonal differences in electricity production potential. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences distinct seasonal patterns that affect solar energy output.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Courtepin generate their highest output during summer, producing approximately 6.00 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 4.89 kWh/day, while autumn yields 3.09 kWh/day. Winter represents the challenging period with only 1.58 kWh/day, less than one-third of the summer production.

This pronounced seasonal variation means that Courtepin is moderately suitable for year-round solar energy generation, with excellent conditions during the warmer months but significant limitations during winter.

Optimal Installation Parameters

For fixed solar panel installations in Courtepin, Fribourg, the ideal tilt angle is 40 degrees facing South. This specific angle maximizes the total annual energy yield by optimizing the panel's exposure to the sun throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and Courtepin's northern hemisphere location.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Courtepin. Being in Switzerland's pre-Alpine region, winter snowfall can temporarily cover panels, reducing output during already low-production periods. Additionally, the region experiences fog conditions, particularly in autumn and winter months, which can diminish solar radiation reaching the panels.

To mitigate these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Installing panels at the recommended 40-degree tilt helps shed snow more effectively than flatter installations
• Using snow-resistant panel frames and mounting systems designed for Alpine conditions
• Implementing automated or manual snow removal protocols during winter months
• Considering micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading from snow or cloud cover
• Selecting panels with anti-soiling glass coatings to reduce dirt and dust accumulation

While Courtepin's location presents challenges during winter months, proper system design and maintenance can help maximize the excellent production potential during spring and summer, making solar PV a viable renewable energy option for this Swiss location.

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 Courtepin

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.8653, Longitude: 7.127 (Courtepin, 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 Courtepin, Switzerland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Courtepin, Switzerland (Lat/Long 46.8653, 7.127) 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 Courtepin, 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 Courtepin, 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	60° South in Winter	39° 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 Courtepin, 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 Courtepin, 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.

Topography for solar PV around Courtepin, Switzerland

The topography around Courtepin, Switzerland presents a diverse landscape situated in the western part of the country, specifically in the canton of Fribourg. Courtepin lies in a region characterized by gentle rolling hills and small valleys, positioned at an elevation of approximately 580 meters above sea level. This area forms part of the Swiss Plateau (or Mittelland), which stretches between the higher Jura Mountains to the northwest and the Alps to the southeast. The terrain surrounding Courtepin features a mixture of agricultural lands, small forests, and scattered settlements. The landscape has been shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age, resulting in the characteristic undulating topography with occasional moraine deposits. Several small streams flow through the vicinity, eventually joining the Sarine River, a tributary of the Aare.

Surrounding Terrain Features

To the west of Courtepin, the terrain gradually descends toward Lake Murten (Lac de Morat), one of the three lakes in the Seeland region. This lake area, approximately 7-8 kilometers from Courtepin, sits at a lower elevation of around 430 meters. The eastern and northern surroundings consist of gently sloping agricultural lands interspersed with forest patches. The southern landscape features slightly more pronounced hills, with elevations reaching up to 700 meters in some areas. The overall region maintains a rural character, with a patchwork of fields, pastures, and woodlands defining the visual landscape. The broader area belongs to the Fribourg Plateau, which forms a transition zone between the more mountainous regions of Switzerland and the lower plains.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas around Courtepin show promising characteristics. The gently sloping south-facing hillsides to the north of Courtepin present ideal conditions for solar energy capture. These areas benefit from favorable sun exposure throughout the day while avoiding the shadowing effects that might occur in more rugged terrain. The agricultural plateau extending east and northeast of Courtepin offers substantial flat or gently inclined land that could accommodate extensive solar arrays. These areas typically have good solar exposure and minimal topographical barriers that might cast shadows. The relative openness of the landscape in these directions provides ample space for larger installations. Areas toward Lake Murten, particularly the slightly elevated terrain before the descent to the lake, could also be suitable. These western zones benefit from unobstructed western exposure, capturing afternoon sunlight effectively. The slightly elevated position helps avoid morning fog that sometimes forms in the lower lake basin. Less optimal would be the more densely forested sections found in patches throughout the region, particularly in some of the steeper slopes to the south. Additionally, the immediate proximity to settled areas and the more valuable agricultural lands might present land-use conflicts that would need to be addressed in any development planning. The relatively modest elevation differences in the broader region mean that most areas around Courtepin avoid the extreme shadowing effects that can occur in more mountainous parts of Switzerland. This characteristic, combined with the mosaic of open spaces available, makes the region potentially suitable for distributed solar development across multiple sites rather than concentrated in a single massive installation.

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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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.