Solar PV Analysis of Herzogenbuchsee, Switzerland
In simple terms, the location at Herzogenbuchsee, Bern, Switzerland is fairly good for generating solar energy throughout the year but it's not perfect. It's best during the summer and spring seasons when there's more sunlight. During these seasons, each kilowatt of installed solar can produce 5.74 and 4.89 units of electricity per day respectively.
The output drops significantly in autumn to 3.02 units per day and even lower in winter to just 1.45 units per day due to less sunlight available during these periods. So while you can generate some power all year round, you'll get most of your energy in summer and spring.
To get as much power as possible from your solar panels here, they should ideally be tilted towards the south at an angle of about 40 degrees.
As for local factors that could affect how much energy you can produce from your panels - Switzerland has a temperate climate with moderate rainfall throughout the year which might reduce sunshine hours occasionally but it shouldn't be too significant overall.
However, one thing that could be a bigger problem is snowfall during winter months which could cover up your panels and stop them producing any power until cleared off again. To prevent this from affecting production too much, regular maintenance checks should be performed especially after heavy snowfall events to ensure panels are clear and working optimally.
So overall while Herzogenbuchsee isn't perfect for solar energy production due to its seasonal variations in sunlight availability - particularly low light levels in winter - it still offers potential for substantial generation particularly if installations are correctly angled and well maintained through potentially disruptive weather conditions such as snowfall.
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 Herzogenbuchsee
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.1841, Longitude: 7.7168 (Herzogenbuchsee, 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 Herzogenbuchsee, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Herzogenbuchsee, Switzerland (Lat/Long 47.1841, 7.7168) 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 Herzogenbuchsee, 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 Herzogenbuchsee, 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 Herzogenbuchsee, 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 Herzogenbuchsee, 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 Herzogenbuchsee, Switzerland
Herzogenbuchsee is located in the Swiss Plateau, an area characterized by relatively flat or gently rolling landscapes interspersed with hilly regions. The land around Herzogenbuchsee is primarily agricultural, with a mix of fields, forests, and developed areas.
For large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, open and flat areas are often preferred as they allow for easy installation and maintenance. They also provide unobstructed exposure to sunlight which maximizes energy production. Therefore, the agricultural fields around Herzogenbuchsee could potentially be suitable for solar PV installations.
However, there are several factors to consider when determining the suitability of a location for solar energy generation:
1. Sunlight Exposure: This depends on the geographical location and climate conditions of the area. Switzerland has moderate sunlight exposure compared to other countries due to its temperate climate.
2. Land Availability: Large-scale solar PV requires significant space. While agricultural lands can be used, this may compete with food production.
3. Environmental Impact: The impact on local ecosystems must also be considered before installing large-scale solar panels.
4. Grid Connectivity: Proximity to power grids is important as it affects the cost and feasibility of transmitting electricity from solar farms to consumers.
5. Local Regulations: Laws and policies regarding land use and renewable energy projects can affect where such installations can be built.
Therefore, while certain areas around Herzogenbuchsee might seem physically suited for large-scale solar PV based solely on topography, further detailed studies considering all these factors would need to be conducted before making any conclusions about their suitability.
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: Sunday 23rd of June 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.
