Solar PV Analysis of Rotkreuz, Switzerland
Rotkreuz, Zug, Switzerland is a fairly good location for generating solar energy year-round. The amount of electricity you can expect to produce from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies with the seasons. In simple terms, a kW is a measure of how much power your solar panels can generate.
In summer, you'll get about 5.71 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kW of installed solar. A kWh is the unit used to measure how much electricity you've actually produced or used. So in summer, your panels will be very productive.
In autumn and spring, they'll still do pretty well - producing around 2.99 kWh/day and 4.85 kWh/day respectively for each kW installed.
Winter is when things slow down significantly due to shorter days and less sunlight; output drops to about 1.52 kWh/day per kW.
To get the most out of your solar system throughout the year in Rotkreuz, Zug, it's best to tilt your fixed panel installation towards south at an angle of 40 degrees.
As far as local factors that could affect production: weather conditions like heavy snowfall or fog could reduce output by blocking sunlight from reaching the panels; trees or buildings might also cast shadows over them during certain times of day/year which would have similar effect.
However, there are ways to mitigate these issues:
For snowfall: Panels are often tilted at an angle so snow slides off more easily; some people even manually clear their panels after heavy snowfalls.
For fog/clouds: Unfortunately there's not much that can be done here except choosing high-quality panels which perform better under low-light conditions.
For shading from trees/buildings: Before installing your system, assess where shadows fall on potential installation sites throughout different times/seasons & choose most sun-exposed spot possible.
So overall while there are challenges associated with generating solar energy in Rotkreuz, Zug, with careful planning and maintenance they can be managed effectively.
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 Rotkreuz
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.1419, Longitude: 8.4593 (Rotkreuz, 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 Rotkreuz, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rotkreuz, Switzerland (Lat/Long 47.1419, 8.4593) 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 Rotkreuz, 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 Rotkreuz, 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 | 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 Rotkreuz, 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 Rotkreuz, 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 Rotkreuz, Switzerland
Rotkreuz is located in the canton of Zug in central Switzerland. The topography around Rotkreuz is characterized by a mix of flat plains and hilly areas, with the Swiss Alps to the south. The town itself sits at an elevation of about 400 meters above sea level.
As for solar PV potential, it would depend on various factors such as local climate, sunlight exposure, land availability and regulations among others. Generally speaking though:
1) Flat Plains: These could be ideal for large-scale ground-mounted solar PV installations due to their ease of construction and maintenance.
2) Hilly Areas: While these might pose more challenges in terms of installation and maintenance compared to flat lands, they can still be suitable if they have good sun exposure (i.e., not blocked by mountains or other obstructions).
3) Rooftops: Given that Switzerland has strict land use regulations to preserve its natural landscapes, utilizing rooftops in urban or industrial areas for solar panels might be a more feasible option.
4) Water Bodies: There are several lakes near Rotkreuz (e.g., Lake Zug), which could potentially host floating solar PV systems – a technology that's been gaining interest globally due to its benefits such as reduced evaporation loss and improved panel efficiency from water's cooling effect.
However, it should be noted that despite having favorable locations for solar energy production like those mentioned above, actual feasibility would require more detailed analysis including technical aspects (e.g., sun hours per year), economic factors (e.g., costs versus returns), environmental impacts etc.
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: Tuesday 11th of June 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.
