Riehen, Switzerland, situated at 47.5803°N, 7.6388°E, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential, which impacts the effectiveness of photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Riehen peaks during the summer months, with an average daily output of 5.74 kWh per kW of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 4.89 kWh/day. Autumn sees a notable decrease to 3.02 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at just 1.45 kWh/day.

These figures highlight the substantial difference between summer and winter production, with summer yielding nearly four times the energy of winter days. This variance is primarily due to the changing sun angle and daylight hours across seasons at Riehen's latitude.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Riehen, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 41 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the capture of available sunlight throughout the year, balancing the low winter sun with the higher summer sun path.

Environmental Considerations

While Riehen's location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Snow accumulation in winter can temporarily reduce panel efficiency
• Fog, common in the Rhine Valley region, may occasionally diminish solar irradiance

To mitigate these issues, installers can implement steeper panel angles to promote snow sliding and use anti-reflective coatings to improve performance in diffuse light conditions. Regular maintenance, including snow removal, is also advisable to ensure optimal year-round performance.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges posed by winter conditions, Riehen's location offers good potential for solar PV systems, especially from spring through autumn. With proper installation techniques and maintenance, solar energy can be a viable and sustainable power source for this Swiss community.

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 Riehen

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.5803, Longitude: 7.6388 (Riehen, 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 41° South in Riehen, Switzerland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Riehen, Switzerland (Lat/Long 47.5803, 7.6388) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 41° 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 Riehen, 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 Riehen, Switzerland. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 41° 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	51° 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 Riehen, 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 Riehen, 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 Riehen, Switzerland

Riehen, Switzerland, situated at 47.5803°N, 7.6388°E, is nestled in a diverse topographical landscape that combines gentle slopes, rolling hills, and river valleys. The town is located on the northern edge of Switzerland, near the border with Germany, and is part of the Basel-Stadt canton. The terrain around Riehen is characterized by its position in the Rhine Valley, with the Rhine River flowing nearby to the north. To the south and east, the land gradually rises into the foothills of the Jura Mountains, creating a picturesque backdrop of wooded hills and elevated plateaus. The western side of Riehen opens up to more level ground, transitioning into the Upper Rhine Plain.

Topographical Features

The immediate vicinity of Riehen includes a mix of residential areas, parklands, and agricultural fields. The town itself is built on slightly elevated ground, with some parts experiencing gentle inclines. As you move away from the town center, the landscape becomes more varied, with small valleys carved by streams and creeks that eventually feed into the Rhine. To the southeast, the terrain becomes more pronounced, with steeper hillsides covered in forests. These wooded areas are part of the transition zone between the Rhine Valley and the Jura Mountains, offering scenic viewpoints over the surrounding region.

Potential for Solar PV Installation

When considering areas near Riehen for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The most suitable locations would be those that combine favorable topography with minimal environmental impact and proximity to existing infrastructure. The gently sloping agricultural lands to the west and southwest of Riehen present promising opportunities for solar farms. These areas benefit from relatively flat terrain, which simplifies installation and maintenance of solar panels. The open fields also receive ample sunlight throughout the day, with fewer obstructions from trees or buildings. Another potential area for solar PV development could be the slightly elevated plateaus to the south and southeast of Riehen. While these locations may require some terrain modification, they offer the advantage of reduced shadowing from surrounding hills and potentially higher solar exposure. It's important to note that any large-scale solar project would need to carefully balance energy production goals with environmental conservation and land use regulations. The scenic nature of the region and its proximity to urban areas means that visual impact and land use changes would be significant considerations in the planning process. Areas to avoid for solar PV installations would include the steeper forested hillsides to the east and the immediate vicinity of the Rhine River, due to ecological sensitivity and potential flooding risks, respectively. In conclusion, while Riehen's surrounding topography presents some challenges for large-scale solar PV, there are suitable areas nearby that could be considered for such projects, particularly in the flatter agricultural zones to the west and on carefully selected elevated areas to the south.

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.