Solar Energy Production in Derendingen, Solothurn, Switzerland

Derendingen, Solothurn, Switzerland, located at coordinates 47.2023, 7.5904 in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation, with significant seasonal variations. The energy output fluctuates considerably throughout the year, with the highest production occurring during summer months. The seasonal production pattern shows that for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity, the system generates 5.69 kWh per day during summer, making this the prime season for solar energy collection. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 4.83 kWh daily output per kW installed. Autumn production drops to 2.95 kWh per day, while winter shows the lowest output at just 1.39 kWh daily per kW of installed capacity.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For fixed solar panel installations in Derendingen, Solothurn, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 40 degrees facing South. This specific angle optimizes the capture of available sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the location's latitude and seasonal variations in sun position.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors can impact solar production in Derendingen:

• Snow accumulation during winter months can significantly reduce production if panels become covered, requiring either manual clearing or steep installation angles to promote natural snow sliding
• Fog and low cloud cover, common in the Swiss plateau region during autumn and winter, further contribute to the already reduced winter production
• Potential shading from surrounding Alpine foothills or nearby structures should be carefully assessed during installation planning

Preventative measures include installing panels with sufficient elevation to minimize snow accumulation, incorporating snow guards where appropriate, conducting thorough shade analysis before installation, and implementing regular maintenance schedules. Additionally, considering a slight adjustment to the standard 40-degree tilt might be beneficial if winter production is particularly important, as steeper angles can improve winter performance while sacrificing some summer output. The nearly 4:1 ratio between summer and winter daily production highlights the seasonal nature of solar generation at this location, suggesting that complementary energy sources or storage solutions would be valuable for year-round energy independence.

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 Derendingen

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.2023, Longitude: 7.5904 (Derendingen, 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 Derendingen, Switzerland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Derendingen, Switzerland (Lat/Long 47.2023, 7.5904) 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 Derendingen, 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 Derendingen, 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 Derendingen, 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 Derendingen, 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 Derendingen, Switzerland

Derendingen, situated in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland, is characterized by a relatively flat topography as it lies within the Swiss Plateau (Schweizer Mittelland). The terrain around Derendingen predominantly consists of a wide valley floor formed by the Aare River, which flows nearby. The elevation is approximately 430 meters above sea level, with minimal variation throughout the immediate vicinity of the town. The landscape surrounding Derendingen features gentle undulations rather than dramatic relief. To the south, the terrain gradually rises toward the foothills of the Jura Mountains, which can be seen from the area but are several kilometers away. The northern side remains primarily flat as it extends toward Solothurn and the broader Aare valley.

Surrounding Landscape Features

The Aare River, one of Switzerland's major waterways, flows northeast of Derendingen, creating a natural boundary and contributing to the alluvial plain characteristics of the region. The river valley has created fertile agricultural lands that dominate much of the surrounding area, with fields and farmland comprising a significant portion of the non-urbanized territory. Small patches of forest are interspersed throughout the region, particularly along the river corridors and on slightly elevated areas. These wooded sections provide natural breaks in what is otherwise a largely developed or agricultural landscape.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas around Derendingen offer favorable conditions. The relatively flat agricultural lands to the east and southeast of Derendingen present the most promising locations for solar development. These areas benefit from minimal topographic shading and large, contiguous parcels of land that could accommodate substantial installations. The slightly elevated plateaus to the south, as the land begins to rise toward the Jura foothills, also merit consideration. These locations may receive less fog than the valley floor during winter months, potentially increasing overall solar radiation capture. The gentle south-facing slopes in this transitional zone between the plateau and mountains offer optimal orientation for solar panels. Industrial zones on the outskirts of Derendingen and neighboring communities like Subingen and Luterbach could also support large-scale solar installations, particularly through rooftop systems on extensive commercial buildings and warehouses. These areas already have the necessary infrastructure connections and represent opportunities for development without consuming additional agricultural land. Areas to avoid would include the immediate river corridor, which may be subject to flooding and likely has environmental protections in place, as well as the more steeply sloped sections of the Jura foothills further south, where installation would be more challenging and expensive. The region's land-use patterns, with a mix of urban development, industrial zones, and agricultural areas, suggest that hybrid approaches—combining solar with continued agricultural use (agrivoltaics) or placing installations on existing industrial infrastructure—may be particularly appropriate for this densely populated part of Switzerland.

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.