Solar PV Analysis of Ittigen, Switzerland
In Ittigen, Bern, Switzerland, you can generate energy from solar panels all year round, but the amount of electricity you can produce varies by season. In simple terms, each kilowatt of installed solar panels will give you more electricity in the summer and spring than it does in autumn or winter. Specifically, for every kilowatt of solar power capacity you install:
- You'll get about 6.04 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in the summer.
- The output drops to around 4.94 kWh/day in the spring.
- In autumn, your daily production will be about 3.15 kWh.
- Winter has the lowest productivity with only around 1.63 kWh/day.
So if you're looking to maximize your energy generation from solar panels at this location, summer and spring are your best bets.
To make sure that these panels can produce as much power as possible throughout the year, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 40 degrees facing south.
As for factors that might hinder solar production at this location: weather conditions such as cloudy skies or snow could potentially reduce sunlight reaching your panels thereby reducing their ability to generate electricity effectively - especially during winter months when sunshine is already limited.
Preventative measures would include installing systems to clear snow off the panels automatically or manually doing so yourself after heavy snowfall; also consider a system that tracks sun movement across sky during day which ensures maximum exposure even on less sunny days.
Remember though that while these measures may help increase output slightly during challenging periods like winter months where sunlight is scarce – they do not change fact that there's simply less potential for generating high amounts of solar power compared to sunnier seasons like summer and spring due to natural limitations imposed by Earth's tilt and orbit around Sun affecting how much daylight we receive here on ground level at different times of year.
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 Ittigen
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.9705, Longitude: 7.4809 (Ittigen, 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 Ittigen, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ittigen, Switzerland (Lat/Long 46.9705, 7.4809) 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 Ittigen, 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 Ittigen, 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 | 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 Ittigen, 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 Ittigen, 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 Ittigen, Switzerland
Ittigen is located in the Swiss plateau, an area characterized by rolling hills and valleys. The region has a mix of forested areas, agricultural land, and urban development. The topography around Ittigen is relatively flat to gently sloping with some hilly regions.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are usually preferred as they allow for easier installation and maintenance of solar panels. In the case of Ittigen, suitable locations could be found on agricultural lands or on rooftops within urban areas that receive plenty of sunlight.
However, it’s important to note that any decision about installing large-scale solar PV should also consider factors like local climate (including annual sunshine hours), grid connectivity, environmental impact assessments as well as local regulations and permissions.
Moreover, Switzerland's energy strategy encourages the use of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Therefore rooftops in industrial zones or commercial buildings in Ittigen can be potential sites for large scale solar PVs.
The nearby region north-east to Ittigen seems more open with less forest cover which might be suited for such installations but detailed site surveys would be necessary to confirm suitability.
Please note this information needs further onsite verification as this is based on general assumptions considering geographical location & topography.
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 28th 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.
