Solar PV Analysis of Herisau, Switzerland
The location of Herisau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Switzerland is moderately suitable for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) technology year-round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar varies throughout the seasons.
In simple terms, during summer, you can expect to generate about 5.71 units of electricity per day for each kW of installed solar panels. This decreases to around 2.99 units in autumn and drops further to just 1.52 units during winter days which are typically shorter and have less sunlight available. However, it picks up again in spring with around 4.85 units generated per day.
This means that the most productive time for generating solar power at this location would be in the summer months when daylight hours are longer and sunlight more intense; followed by springtime where there's a significant increase compared to autumn or winter.
For fixed panel installations at this location, you'll want your panels tilted at an angle facing towards the South at approximately 40 degrees to maximize total year-round production from your PV system.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could impede solar production in Herisau go - common issues may include cloud cover reducing sunlight exposure on some days; snowfall in winter potentially covering panels; or dust and debris buildup over time affecting panel efficiency.
To combat these potential issues: regular maintenance checks can help identify any obstruction like snow or dirt on the panels early so they can be cleaned off promptly; installing systems with automated tracking capabilities could also ensure optimal sun exposure even on cloudy days by adjusting panel angles dynamically throughout the day based on sun position.
Remember though that while these measures may help optimize output under local conditions – overall seasonal variations due largely to differing lengths/quality of daylight across different times of year will still significantly affect how much energy you're able to generate from your PV system at this particular 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 Herisau
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.3883, Longitude: 9.2792 (Herisau, 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 Herisau, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Herisau, Switzerland (Lat/Long 47.3883, 9.2792) 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 Herisau, 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 Herisau, 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 Herisau, 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 Herisau, 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 Herisau, Switzerland
Herisau, Switzerland is located in the eastern part of the country and is surrounded by hills and mountains. The topography around Herisau is characterized by its location in the Swiss Plateau, with rolling hills, valleys, and a few scattered forests.
The town itself lies at an elevation of about 771 meters above sea level. The highest point nearby is the Säntis mountain which reaches up to 2,502 meters above sea level. Other notable peaks include Hohen Kasten (1,795 m) and Hoher Freschen (2,004 m).
As for solar PV installations, flat areas or south-facing slopes would be most suitable to maximize sun exposure throughout the year. Given that Herisau has hilly terrain with some flat areas in between these could be potential sites for large-scale solar PV installations.
However, it's important to note that other factors such as local climate conditions (like cloud cover), land use constraints (like protected natural areas or agricultural lands), grid connectivity infrastructure and proximity to demand centers also play a crucial role in determining suitability for large-scale solar PV projects.
Moreover, roof-top solar panels on buildings can also be considered given they don't require additional land space while contributing towards renewable energy targets.
In any case detailed site-specific technical studies would need to be carried out before deciding on any potential locations for large scale solar PV development.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 14th of April 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.
