Lutry, Vaud, Switzerland, situated at latitude 46.4875 and longitude 6.6881, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.00 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 4.89 kWh daily. Autumn sees a considerable drop to 3.09 kWh per day, while winter performance plummets to a mere 1.58 kWh daily.

These figures highlight the stark contrast between summer and winter production, with summer yielding nearly four times the energy of winter months. Spring and autumn serve as transitional periods, with spring showing significantly better performance than autumn.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round energy production, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 40-degree tilt angle facing south. This orientation helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Lutry's location presents some challenges for solar energy production. The region experiences frequent cloudy days, especially during winter months, which can significantly reduce solar output. Additionally, occasional fog from nearby Lake Geneva may temporarily decrease efficiency.

Snow accumulation on panels during winter is another factor to consider. To mitigate these issues, consider the following measures:

• Install panels at a steeper angle to encourage snow sliding off
• Use anti-reflective and self-cleaning panel coatings to maximize light absorption and minimize dirt accumulation

Despite these challenges, Lutry's location still offers good potential for solar energy production, particularly from late spring through early autumn. With proper installation and maintenance, a solar PV system can provide a significant portion of a household's energy needs, especially during the longer, sunnier days of summer.

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 Lutry

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.4875, Longitude: 6.6881 (Lutry, 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 Lutry, Switzerland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lutry, Switzerland (Lat/Long 46.4875, 6.6881) 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 Lutry, 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 Lutry, 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
30° 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 Lutry, 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 Lutry, 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 Lutry, Switzerland

Lutry, Switzerland, nestled on the northern shore of Lake Geneva, boasts a diverse and picturesque topography. The town itself is situated on gently sloping terrain that rises from the lakeshore. As you move inland from Lutry, the landscape gradually becomes more hilly and varied. To the north and east of Lutry, the terrain becomes increasingly steep as it transitions into the foothills of the Swiss Alps. This area is characterized by rolling hills, small valleys, and patches of forest. The elevation increases rapidly, creating a dramatic backdrop for the town and offering stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. To the west, the land is generally flatter, with a mix of agricultural fields, vineyards, and small wooded areas. This region, known as the Lavaux, is famous for its terraced vineyards that cascade down towards the lake. The hillsides here are less steep compared to the areas north and east of Lutry, creating a more gradual ascent from the lakeshore.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have ample sunlight exposure, relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, and minimal shading from surrounding landscape features. The area to the west of Lutry, extending towards Lausanne, presents some potential for solar PV development. This region has more open, flatter land that could accommodate larger installations. However, care would need to be taken to avoid disrupting the iconic Lavaux vineyards, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Another promising area lies to the north of Lutry, in the higher elevation regions where the terrain begins to level out. These areas often have south-facing slopes that could maximize solar exposure. However, developers would need to carefully consider the impact on local ecosystems and viewsheds. The eastern side of Lake Geneva, moving towards Montreux, also offers some potential sites for solar PV. This area has a mix of flat and gently sloping terrain that could be suitable for large-scale installations. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV development in this region would need to carefully balance energy production goals with preservation of the area's natural beauty, agricultural heritage, and tourism industry. Environmental impact assessments and community engagement would be crucial steps in identifying the most appropriate locations for such projects.

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.