Rue, Fribourg, Switzerland, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 46.6152, 6.8213, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of its alpine climate.

Seasonal Solar Production Performance

The solar energy output at Rue varies considerably throughout the year, reflecting the dramatic seasonal changes in this Swiss location. Summer provides the strongest performance at 6.01 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the prime season for solar energy generation. This peak summer output is nearly four times greater than the winter minimum. Spring delivers solid performance with 4.89 kWh per day per kW, making it the second-best season for solar production. Autumn sees a notable decline to 3.10 kWh per day per kW as daylight hours decrease and weather patterns become less favorable. Winter presents the most challenging period with only 1.63 kWh per day per kW, representing the lowest output of the year.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at this location, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 40 degrees facing south. This optimal angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles at this latitude, determining daily optimal panel positioning, and weighting these angles by daily photovoltaic potential using solar irradiance data that accounts for Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several significant local factors can impede solar production at Rue, Fribourg, Switzerland, requiring careful consideration during installation planning. Snow accumulation represents the most substantial challenge during winter months. Heavy snowfall common to this alpine region can completely cover solar panels, eliminating energy production until the snow melts or is removed. The low winter output of 1.63 kWh per day per kW can be further reduced if panels remain snow-covered for extended periods. Alpine weather patterns bring frequent cloud cover and fog, particularly during autumn and winter seasons. These conditions significantly reduce solar irradiance reaching the panels, contributing to the lower seasonal output figures observed during these periods. The mountainous terrain surrounding Rue can create shading issues, especially during winter when the sun travels a lower arc across the sky. Hills, mountains, or tall vegetation may cast shadows on solar installations during critical daylight hours.

Preventative Installation Measures

Several installation strategies can help maximize energy production despite these environmental challenges:

• Install panels at steeper angles (closer to the optimal 40-degree tilt) to promote natural snow sliding and reduce accumulation
• Choose panel mounting systems that allow safe manual snow removal when necessary
• Select high-quality panels with anti-reflective coatings that perform better in diffused light conditions common during cloudy weather
• Conduct thorough shading analysis before installation to identify optimal placement locations that avoid mountain or vegetation shadows
• Consider installing panels on south-facing rooftops or elevated structures to minimize terrain-related shading

Overall Assessment

While Rue, Fribourg, Switzerland faces typical alpine challenges for solar energy production, the location remains viable for solar installations with proper planning. The strong summer and spring performance can offset the reduced winter output, though system sizing should account for the dramatic seasonal variations. The 40-degree south-facing installation angle, combined with appropriate preventative measures for snow and shading, can help ensure optimal energy production throughout the year.

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 Rue

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.6152, Longitude: 6.8213 (Rue, 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 Rue, Switzerland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rue, Switzerland (Lat/Long 46.6152, 6.8213) 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 Rue, 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 Rue, 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 Rue, 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 Rue, 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 Rue, Switzerland

Topography Around Rue, Switzerland

Rue is situated in the canton of Fribourg in western Switzerland, positioned on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel at an elevation of approximately 430 meters above sea level. The town sits on relatively flat terrain that forms part of the Swiss Plateau, a broad band of rolling hills and plains that stretches across central Switzerland between the Alps and the Jura Mountains.

The immediate landscape around Rue is characterized by gentle slopes and agricultural fields that gradually rise from the lakeshore toward the southeast. The topography is predominantly rural, with a mix of farmland, vineyards, and scattered woodland areas. The terrain becomes more undulating as one moves away from the lake, with modest hills reaching elevations of 500 to 600 meters within a few kilometers of the town center.

To the northwest, the land slopes gently down toward Lake Neuchâtel, while to the southeast, the elevation increases gradually toward the foothills of the pre-Alpine region. The area benefits from a relatively open landscape with minimal obstruction from major geographical features, though the distant Alps to the south and the Jura Mountains to the northwest form the broader regional backdrop.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV Development

The agricultural plains extending southeast from Rue toward the communities of Dompierre and Domdidier present excellent opportunities for large-scale solar installations. These areas feature expansive flat to gently sloping fields with minimal topographical constraints and good accessibility via existing road networks. The open agricultural landscape provides ample space for ground-mounted solar arrays while maintaining appropriate distances from residential areas.

The elevated plateau areas approximately 2-3 kilometers southeast of Rue, particularly around the 500-meter elevation mark, offer another promising location for solar development. These higher elevations provide clear sight lines with reduced potential for shading from surrounding terrain features. The moderate slopes in this region can be advantageous for solar panel positioning when oriented appropriately.

Areas to the east and northeast of Rue, extending toward the village of Villarepos, also present suitable conditions for solar installations. The terrain here consists of broad, gently rolling fields with good southern exposure and minimal obstruction from trees or buildings. The existing agricultural use of much of this land could potentially accommodate agrivoltaic systems that combine solar generation with continued farming activities.

The flatter areas closer to Lake Neuchâtel, while topographically suitable, may face additional regulatory considerations due to their proximity to the water body and potential scenic value concerns. However, the slightly elevated terraces above the immediate shoreline could still provide viable locations for solar development while maintaining appropriate environmental buffers.

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.