Suhr, Aargau, Switzerland, located at 47.3734° N, 8.0754° 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 output, which impacts the overall efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy potential in Suhr varies considerably across the four seasons:

• Summer: 5.71 kWh/day per kW installed
• Spring: 4.85 kWh/day per kW installed
• Autumn: 2.99 kWh/day per kW installed
• Winter: 1.52 kWh/day per kW installed

Summer and spring clearly offer the most favorable conditions for solar energy production, with long days and higher sun angles contributing to increased output. The substantial drop in winter production highlights the challenges faced during the colder months.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations in Suhr, Aargau, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 40 degrees facing south. This angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal sun paths to optimize energy capture throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impact solar production in Suhr: 1. Snow cover: Winter snowfall can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Regular panel cleaning or the installation of snow guards can mitigate this issue. 2. Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent cloudy days, especially in autumn and winter. Using high-efficiency panels and microinverters can help maximize production even in low-light conditions. 3. Temperature variations: While cooler temperatures can improve panel efficiency, extreme cold can affect system components. Choosing cold-resistant equipment is advisable.

Conclusion

While Suhr's location is not ideal for year-round solar production due to significant seasonal variations, it still offers good potential, especially during summer and spring. With proper system design, panel positioning, and maintenance, solar PV can be a viable renewable energy option in this Swiss town.

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 Suhr

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.3734, Longitude: 8.0754 (Suhr, 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 Suhr, Switzerland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Suhr, Switzerland (Lat/Long 47.3734, 8.0754) 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 Suhr, 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 Suhr, 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
31° South in Summer	50° 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 Suhr, 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 Suhr, 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 Suhr, Switzerland

The area around Suhr, Switzerland, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque landscape typical of the Swiss Plateau region. Suhr itself is situated in a relatively flat valley, with gentle rolling hills and small elevations surrounding the town. The terrain gradually becomes more pronounced as you move away from the central area, with higher hills and some forested areas to the south and east.

To the north and west of Suhr, the land remains mostly flat, with agricultural fields and small patches of woodland dotting the landscape. This area is part of the Aare River valley, which provides fertile soil for farming. As you move further south and east, the terrain becomes more undulating, with a mix of open meadows, forested hillsides, and small streams cutting through the countryside.

Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

1. The relatively flat agricultural lands to the north and west of Suhr could be potential candidates for solar farms. These areas receive good sunlight exposure and have minimal shading from natural obstacles.
2. South-facing slopes on the gentle hills surrounding Suhr might also be suitable for solar panel installations, as they would receive more direct sunlight throughout the day.
3. However, it's important to note that Switzerland places a high value on its agricultural land and natural landscapes. Any large-scale solar projects would need to carefully balance energy production with land conservation and local regulations.

The most promising locations for solar PV installations would likely be on existing structures, such as large industrial or commercial rooftops in and around Suhr. This approach would minimize the impact on the natural landscape while still allowing for significant solar energy production. Additionally, considering the region's commitment to preserving its scenic beauty, smaller distributed solar systems on residential and commercial buildings throughout the area might be more feasible and socially acceptable than large-scale solar farms.

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

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.