Solar PV Analysis of Renens, Switzerland
Renens, Vaud, Switzerland is a fairly good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, the amount of electricity that can be produced varies by season due to changes in sunlight intensity and duration.
During summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels can generate approximately 6.04 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. This is when you would get the most energy from your solar panels because days are long and sunlight is intense.
In autumn, each kW of installed solar panels can produce about 3.15 kWh per day while in winter it drops further to around 1.63 kWh/day due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun angles.
Spring sees a significant increase with about 4.94 kWh/day generated for every kW of installed solar panel as days start getting longer again.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system at this location, you should tilt your fixed panel installation at an angle of 40 degrees towards the South. This allows them to capture more sunlight throughout the year.
However, there could be some environmental or weather factors that might affect your ability to generate power from these installations such as cloudy or foggy weather which are common in Switzerland especially during winter months; snow accumulation on panels during winter could also reduce their efficiency significantly.
To mitigate these issues:
1) You might want to consider installing a device that tracks the sun's movement across the sky so even on less sunny days you'd still get some power generation.
2) Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure any accumulated snow or debris doesn't block sunlight reaching your panels.
3) Installing additional wind turbines could complement your energy production especially during those cloudier months when there's not much sunshine but wind speeds may be higher.
4) Lastly using high-efficiency PV modules designed for low-light conditions could also help improve overall performance despite less than ideal weather conditions sometimes experienced in this location.
Remember, while these measures may increase initial installation costs, they could significantly improve your system's efficiency and payback over time.
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 Renens
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.5388, Longitude: 6.5886 (Renens, 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 Renens, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Renens, Switzerland (Lat/Long 46.5388, 6.5886) 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 Renens, 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 Renens, 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 Renens, 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 Renens, 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 Renens, Switzerland
Renens is located in the canton of Vaud, western Switzerland. The topography around Renens is primarily flat to gently rolling plains due to its location in the Swiss Plateau region, with some hills and valleys. It is surrounded by agricultural fields and urban areas. The Jura Mountains lie to the northwest and Lake Geneva lies to the south.
As for solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are several factors that need consideration:
1. Sunlight: Solar panels require direct sunlight for maximum efficiency. Given Switzerland's temperate climate, it has a moderate level of sunlight throughout the year.
2. Space: Large-scale solar PV projects require large open spaces. The flat plains surrounding Renens could be suitable for this purpose if they are not already being used for agriculture or other purposes.
3. Infrastructure: Proximity to existing power grids would be beneficial as it reduces costs associated with transporting electricity over long distances.
4. Environmental Impact: Any proposed site should have minimal impact on local ecosystems and biodiversity.
Considering these factors, potential sites near Renens could include unused land or brownfield sites within nearby industrial zones where infrastructure already exists or on rooftops of large buildings such as warehouses or factories which can accommodate significant numbers of solar panels without needing additional land space.
However, any decision about where exactly to locate a large-scale solar project would need detailed site-specific studies including environmental impact assessments and consultations with local communities before proceeding.
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: Monday 22nd of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
