Solar PV Analysis of Gommiswald, Switzerland
The location at Gommiswald, Saint Gallen, Switzerland is fairly suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) panels throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt of installed solar power varies by season.
During the summer months, you can expect to generate about 5.71 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of installed solar power. This is a good amount, making summer an ideal time for generating solar energy at this location.
In autumn, the daily output drops to around 2.99 kilowatts-hours per day per kilowatt of installed solar power. While this is lower than in summer, it's still a decent amount and makes fall a reasonably good time for producing solar energy.
Winter sees the lowest production levels with only about 1.52 kilowatt-hours generated per day for each kilowatt of installed solar power due to shorter daylight hours and potentially more cloud cover or snowfall. So winter isn't an ideal time for producing lots of solar energy here.
Spring sees an increase again with about 4.85-kilowatts hours produced daily per each installed kW - making spring another good season for generating electricity via PV panels here.
To get the most out of your PV system in Gommiswald all year round, you should tilt your panels at an angle facing 40 degrees towards the south as this will maximize their exposure to sunlight throughout different times in the year.
As far as environmental factors are concerned that might impact your ability to generate electricity from sunlight: Gommiswald is located in hilly terrain which could potentially cast shadows on your panels depending on where they're placed; also heavy snowfall during winter might cover your panels reducing their effectiveness significantly during those months; finally overcast skies common during certain seasons might also reduce sunlight availability thus impacting overall efficiency slightly but not too significantly since PV systems can still produce energy in cloudy conditions albeit at lower levels.
To address these, you could consider installing your panels in a location that's not shaded by the surrounding hills, regularly clear snow off your panels during winter months and opt for high-efficiency solar panels that can perform better even under less optimal sunlight conditions.
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 Gommiswald
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.2343, Longitude: 9.0058 (Gommiswald, 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 Gommiswald, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gommiswald, Switzerland (Lat/Long 47.2343, 9.0058) 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 Gommiswald, 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 Gommiswald, 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 | 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 Gommiswald, 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 Gommiswald, 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 Gommiswald, Switzerland
Gommiswald, Switzerland is located in the Canton of St. Gallen and is characterized by a hilly topography with significant elevation differences. The region is largely covered by forests and agricultural land, with a mixture of flat areas, slopes, and valleys.
The topography around Gommiswald does present some challenges for large-scale solar PV installations due to the uneven terrain and forest cover. However, there are still opportunities for solar energy production.
Given these conditions, potential sites for large-scale solar PV could include:
1. Open agricultural lands: These areas are typically flat or gently sloping which makes them suitable for ground-mounted solar panels.
2. Rooftops: In built-up areas such as the town center or industrial zones, rooftops can provide ample space for installing solar panels without requiring additional land use.
3. Unused lands: Any unused or underutilized lands that receive good sun exposure could potentially be used for setting up a solar farm.
4. Slopes facing south: In hilly regions like Gommiswald, south-facing slopes can be an ideal location as they get maximum sun exposure throughout the day.
However, before deciding on any site for large-scale solar PV installation in this area it would be necessary to conduct detailed feasibility studies considering factors such as sunlight hours (solar irradiance), local climate conditions (like snowfall which might cover panels), environmental impact assessment etc., along with technical and economic feasibility studies.
Remember that Switzerland's latitude means it receives less sunlight than countries closer to the equator - so while there may be potential locations suited to largescale Solar PV installations around Gommiswald - their efficiency may not compare favorably with similar installations in more favorable climates.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 4th of March 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.
