Solar PV Analysis of Prilly, Switzerland
The location at Prilly, Vaud, Switzerland is moderately suitable for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from a solar panel depends on the sunlight it receives, which varies with each season.
In summer, when the days are longest and sunniest, you can expect to generate about 6.04 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This is quite good and makes summer an ideal time for solar energy production in Prilly.
In autumn, as the days get shorter and less sunny, this figure drops to around 3.15 kWh/day per kW installed – so still decent but not as great as in summer.
Winter sees further decrease due to even shorter daylight hours and often overcast conditions; here you might only generate about 1.63 kWh/day per kW installed – making winter less ideal for solar power generation.
Come springtime however things improve again with around 4.94 kWh/day expected per kW installed - a substantial improvement over winter but not quite reaching summer levels.
To maximize your yearly output from a fixed panel installation at this location it's recommended that panels are tilted at an angle of approximately 40 degrees towards South - this helps ensure they receive maximum sunlight all year round by aligning them better with the sun’s path across the sky.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could impede solar production in Prilly: like any place located in Northern Temperate Zone there will inevitably be some cloudy or rainy days which reduce sunlight exposure on panels; snowfall during winter months could also cover panels thereby reducing their effectiveness unless cleared off promptly.
Preventative measures against these factors include installing automatic tracking systems which adjust panel angles throughout day/year to always face direct sunlight thus maximizing exposure; while snow sensors coupled with heating elements can help keep panels clear during snowy periods ensuring continued operation even under adverse conditions.
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 Prilly
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.5358, Longitude: 6.602 (Prilly, 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 Prilly, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Prilly, Switzerland (Lat/Long 46.5358, 6.602) 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 Prilly, 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 Prilly, 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 Prilly, 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 Prilly, 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 Prilly, Switzerland
Prilly, Switzerland is situated in the canton of Vaud, near Lausanne. The topography around Prilly is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain. It's located on the Swiss Plateau which is relatively flat compared to the mountainous regions of Switzerland but it still has some undulating hills.
As for solar PV installation, areas with higher sun exposure and less shading would be most suited. Flat areas are typically preferred as they require less work to prepare for installation, but sloped surfaces can also be used if they face towards the sun (south-facing in the Northern Hemisphere).
In terms of specific locations near Prilly, one consideration could be agricultural or open field areas that aren't shaded by mountains or buildings. Another possibility might be installing solar panels on large rooftops in industrial zones nearby.
However, it's important to note that while topography plays a role in determining suitable sites for solar PV installations, other factors such as local climate conditions (like cloud cover), land use restrictions and infrastructure availability (grid connectivity) should also be considered when planning 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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 27th of May 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.
