Grenchen, Solothurn, Switzerland, situated at 47.1917°N, 7.3854°E, presents a mixed landscape for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which directly impacts the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy potential in Grenchen fluctuates dramatically across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 5.69 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 4.83 kWh/day. However, the colder months see a substantial decline in energy production, with autumn generating 2.95 kWh/day and winter dropping to a mere 1.39 kWh/day.

This stark contrast between seasons indicates that solar energy systems in Grenchen will be most effective from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to optimal energy generation.

Optimizing Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Grenchen, Solothurn, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 40 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Grenchen's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors that could impact production:

• Snow accumulation in winter can significantly reduce panel efficiency
• Fog, common in the Swiss lowlands, may decrease solar radiation reaching the panels

To mitigate these issues, installing panels at the recommended 40-degree angle can help shed snow more easily. Additionally, using anti-reflective coatings on panels can improve performance in foggy conditions. Regular maintenance, including cleaning panels of snow and debris, is crucial for maintaining optimal energy production.

In conclusion, while Grenchen's solar potential varies greatly throughout the year, proper installation techniques and maintenance can help maximize energy generation, 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 Grenchen

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.1917, Longitude: 7.3854 (Grenchen, 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 Grenchen, Switzerland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Grenchen, Switzerland (Lat/Long 47.1917, 7.3854) 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 Grenchen, 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 Grenchen, 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 Grenchen, 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 Grenchen, 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 Grenchen, Switzerland

Grenchen, Switzerland, nestled in the foothills of the Jura Mountains, boasts a diverse topography that combines flat lowlands with rolling hills and steep mountain slopes. The city itself sits on a relatively flat plain at an elevation of around 450 meters above sea level. To the north, the terrain gradually rises into the Jura Mountains, with forested slopes and rocky outcrops characterizing the landscape. The southern part of Grenchen opens up to the Swiss Plateau, a wide expanse of gently undulating terrain that stretches towards the Alps. This area is primarily composed of agricultural fields, meadows, and scattered patches of woodland. The Aare River, one of Switzerland's major waterways, flows to the south of Grenchen, creating a picturesque valley that cuts through the landscape.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Grenchen for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the Swiss Plateau to the south presents the most promising opportunities. This region offers several advantages for solar energy production: Firstly, the relatively flat terrain of the Swiss Plateau provides ample space for the installation of extensive solar panel arrays. The open fields and agricultural areas could potentially be repurposed or shared with solar installations, maximizing land use efficiency. Secondly, the southern exposure of this area ensures longer periods of direct sunlight throughout the day, which is crucial for optimal solar energy generation. The absence of significant geographical obstacles to the south means that solar panels would receive unobstructed sunlight for most of the day. Additionally, the lower elevation of the Swiss Plateau compared to the mountainous regions to the north results in generally milder weather conditions. This can lead to more consistent solar energy production and lower maintenance requirements for solar installations. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, agricultural land use, and local regulations. The integration of solar farms with existing agricultural practices, known as agrivoltaics, could be a potential solution to balance energy production with land conservation in this region. While the areas to the north of Grenchen in the Jura Mountains offer some potential for solar energy, the steeper slopes and increased forest cover make large-scale installations more challenging and potentially less efficient. These areas might be better suited for smaller, distributed solar projects rather than extensive solar farms.

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.