Thun, Bern, Switzerland presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar photovoltaic energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of its Northern Temperate Zone position.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows dramatic seasonal swings. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 6.01 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it the ideal time for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 4.89 kWh per day per kW, while autumn drops to 3.10 kWh per day per kW. Winter presents the most challenging conditions, producing only 1.63 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. For optimal year-round energy production from a fixed panel installation at Thun, Bern, solar panels should be tilted at 40 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the year and weighting for the solar irradiance potential at different times.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in the Thun area can significantly impact solar energy production. The region's Alpine climate brings frequent cloud cover and fog, particularly during autumn and winter months, which directly reduces solar irradiance reaching the panels. Snow accumulation poses another major challenge during winter months. Heavy snowfall can completely cover solar panels, blocking all energy production until the snow melts or is removed. The mountainous terrain around Thun can also create shading effects, especially during winter when the sun sits lower in the sky.

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

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

• Install panels at steeper angles (closer to the recommended 40 degrees) to encourage snow to slide off naturally
• Use mounting systems that allow for easy snow removal access
• Choose panel locations that avoid shading from nearby mountains, buildings, or trees, particularly during winter months
• Consider anti-reflective coatings and high-efficiency panels to capture more energy during overcast conditions
• Install proper drainage systems to prevent ice buildup around panel mounting structures

Regular maintenance becomes particularly important in this climate, including periodic snow removal and cleaning to remove accumulated dirt or debris that can reduce panel efficiency 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 Thun

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.7522, Longitude: 7.6336 (Thun, 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 Thun, Switzerland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Thun, Switzerland (Lat/Long 46.7522, 7.6336) 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 Thun, 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 Thun, 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	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 Thun, 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 Thun, 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 Thun, Switzerland

Topographical Features Around Thun

The landscape surrounding Thun presents a dramatic contrast between lake, valley floor, and towering Alpine peaks. The city sits at the northern end of Lake Thun, where the Aare River flows out of this pristine mountain lake. The immediate urban area occupies relatively flat terrain along the lakeshore and river valley, with elevations ranging from approximately 560 to 580 meters above sea level. Moving outward from the city center, the topography becomes increasingly varied and steep. To the south and southeast, the terrain rises sharply toward the Bernese Alps, with notable peaks including the Niesen, Stockhorn, and the more distant Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau massif. The northern slopes are generally less dramatic but still feature significant elevation changes as the land transitions toward the Swiss Plateau. The Kander Valley extends southward from Thun, providing a natural corridor through the mountains, while smaller tributary valleys branch off in various directions. These valleys often feature terraced slopes and relatively gentle gradients near their floors, becoming steeper as they approach the surrounding ridgelines.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for substantial solar photovoltaic installations lie on the flatter agricultural lands of the valley floor and the gentle slopes of the Swiss Plateau to the north and northwest of Thun. These areas benefit from unobstructed southern exposure and minimal shading from surrounding terrain features. The expansive fields and meadows between Thun and Bern offer particularly suitable conditions, as they combine favorable topographical characteristics with existing agricultural use that could potentially accommodate ground-mounted solar arrays. The terrain here features gentle undulations rather than steep slopes, making construction and maintenance more practical and cost-effective. South-facing slopes at moderate elevations, particularly those between 600 and 1000 meters above sea level, present excellent opportunities for solar development. These locations often receive enhanced solar irradiation due to their elevation while remaining accessible for construction and ongoing operations. The key consideration is selecting slopes with gradients gentle enough to support large installations without excessive grading or specialized mounting systems. Areas near Steffisburg and Heimberg, which lie on relatively flat terrain adjacent to Thun, could accommodate significant solar installations while maintaining reasonable proximity to existing electrical infrastructure. The broad valley floors in these locations provide substantial contiguous areas suitable for development.

Topographical Challenges and Considerations

The steep Alpine terrain to the south, while offering excellent solar exposure at certain elevations, presents significant challenges for large-scale development. The dramatic elevation changes, rocky terrain, and potential for avalanches or rockfall make these areas less practical for substantial commercial solar projects, despite their favorable orientation and reduced atmospheric interference at higher elevations. Shading effects from the surrounding mountains become increasingly problematic in valleys that run east-west or in locations too close to steep north-facing slopes. The complex interplay of ridgelines, peaks, and valley orientations creates microclimates where shadow patterns can significantly impact solar collection efficiency during certain seasons. The numerous small hills and ridges scattered throughout the region create a patchwork of suitable and unsuitable areas. While south-facing slopes on these features may offer good solar potential, the fragmented nature of available land can make large-scale development more challenging and expensive compared to broad, flat areas. Weather patterns influenced by the topography, including fog formation over the lake and temperature inversions in valleys, can affect solar generation potential. However, the varied elevation and terrain also provide opportunities to site installations at elevations that may avoid some of these localized weather effects.

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.