Cugy, Fribourg, Switzerland presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar PV energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of its Northern Temperate Zone position.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows dramatic seasonal swings. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 6.01 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it the prime solar generation season. Spring follows as the second-best period with 4.89 kWh daily output per kW, offering excellent energy production as daylight hours increase and solar angles improve. Autumn sees a notable decline to 3.10 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 1.63 kWh daily per kW. This winter figure represents just 27% of summer's output, highlighting the substantial seasonal challenge for consistent year-round solar energy production. For optimal performance at this location, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 40 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual energy production by accounting for the sun's varying elevation throughout the year and weighting for optimal solar irradiance conditions.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors at Cugy can significantly impact solar panel performance and require careful consideration during installation. **Snow accumulation** poses the primary seasonal challenge. Switzerland's alpine climate brings substantial snowfall during winter months, which can completely block solar panels and eliminate energy production for extended periods. Heavy snow loads can also create structural stress on mounting systems. **Alpine weather patterns** create additional complications. The region experiences frequent cloud cover, particularly during transitional seasons, along with occasional severe weather including hailstorms that can damage panel surfaces. Temperature fluctuations between seasons are also extreme, affecting panel efficiency and component longevity. **Topographical shading** represents another significant concern. Switzerland's mountainous terrain and dense urban areas can create shadow patterns that reduce solar exposure, particularly during winter months when the sun sits lower on the horizon.

Preventative Installation Measures

Several installation strategies can help maximize solar energy production despite these local challenges:

• Steep panel mounting at angles greater than the optimal 40 degrees can help snow slide off more easily, though this may slightly reduce overall annual output
• Reinforced mounting systems designed for heavy snow loads prevent structural damage and ensure long-term reliability
• Strategic panel placement away from potential shading sources, with careful site surveys to identify optimal locations
• High-quality tempered glass and protective coatings help panels withstand hail and extreme temperature variations
• Proper ventilation spacing behind panels prevents ice buildup and allows for thermal expansion

Regular maintenance becomes particularly important in this climate, including snow removal protocols and periodic cleaning to maintain optimal energy production throughout the year.

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 Cugy

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.8131, Longitude: 6.8854 (Cugy, 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 Cugy, Switzerland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cugy, Switzerland (Lat/Long 46.8131, 6.8854) 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 Cugy, 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 Cugy, 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 Cugy, 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 Cugy, 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 Cugy, Switzerland

Topographical Features of the Cugy Region

Cugy sits within the gently rolling landscape of the Swiss Plateau, positioned between Lake Geneva to the south and the foothills of the Jura Mountains to the north. This area is characterized by relatively modest elevation changes, with the terrain featuring a series of low hills, shallow valleys, and expansive agricultural plains. The topography is generally favorable for development, with gradual slopes that rarely exceed steep gradients.

The surrounding landscape consists primarily of cultivated farmland interspersed with small woodlands and residential areas. The region benefits from the moderating influence of Lake Geneva, which lies approximately 10 kilometers to the south. To the north, the terrain gradually rises toward the Jura range, creating a natural amphitheater effect that provides good exposure to southern aspects.

The area experiences typical Swiss Plateau characteristics, with well-drained soils and relatively stable geological conditions. Small streams and seasonal watercourses create minor undulations in the landscape, but these features generally do not present significant obstacles to large-scale development projects.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations would be found on the south-facing slopes of the gentle hills that characterize this region. These elevated positions offer excellent exposure while maintaining manageable gradients for construction and maintenance access. The agricultural plains extending southwest toward Lake Geneva present particularly attractive opportunities, as they combine favorable orientation with minimal topographical constraints.

Areas with slight southern inclination, typically found on the lower slopes of the rolling hills, would provide optimal conditions for solar panel positioning. These locations avoid the shadowing effects that can occur in valley bottoms while remaining accessible for infrastructure development. The relatively open nature of the agricultural landscape in this direction means fewer obstructions from existing structures or mature vegetation.

The expansive farmland areas between Cugy and the lakeshore communities offer the best combination of suitable terrain, accessibility, and space for large-scale installations. These zones benefit from the stable, well-drained soils of the Swiss Plateau and generally face toward the south or southwest, maximizing exposure throughout the day. The gentle topography in these areas would minimize earthwork requirements and reduce installation costs while providing excellent long-term stability for solar infrastructure.

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.