Solar PV Analysis of Toffen, Switzerland
Based on the data provided, Toffen, Bern, Switzerland has a varying degree of solar energy production potential throughout the year. In simple terms, this means that how much electricity you can generate from solar panels installed in Toffen depends on the time of year.
During summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panel capacity can produce about 6.04 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day. This is the best time for solar energy generation at this location due to longer daylight hours and higher sun intensity.
In autumn and spring, you can expect lower amounts - around 3.15 kWh/day and 4.94 kWh/day respectively for each kW of installed solar capacity. While these are not as high as summer's output, they still provide a decent amount of electricity.
Winter sees the lowest level with only about 1.63 kWh/day produced per kW of installed capacity because days are shorter and sunlight is less intense during this season.
To maximize total yearly production from your solar panels in Toffen, Bern, it's recommended to tilt them towards south at an angle of 40 degrees. This will help capture more sunlight over the course of a year.
As for local factors that could affect solar production in Toffen: weather conditions such as snowfall in winter may cover panels reducing their effectiveness; frequent cloud cover or fog could also reduce sunlight exposure; dust or debris might accumulate on panel surfaces impeding their efficiency too.
Preventative measures against these issues include regular cleaning and maintenance to remove any snow, dust or debris from your panels' surface; installing them at an optimal height where they're less likely to be shaded by surrounding objects or buildings; having backup power solutions like batteries for times when there isn't enough sunlight available to meet your power needs.
So overall while there are some challenges related to seasonal variations and weather conditions, with proper installation techniques and maintenance practices, solar energy can be a viable and sustainable source of power in Toffen, Bern, Switzerland 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 Toffen
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.8575, Longitude: 7.4977 (Toffen, 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 Toffen, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Toffen, Switzerland (Lat/Long 46.8575, 7.4977) 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 Toffen, 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 Toffen, 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 | 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 Toffen, 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 Toffen, 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 Toffen, Switzerland
Toffen, Switzerland is located in the Swiss Plateau region, which is characterized by rolling hills and valleys. The area around Toffen includes both flat and hilly terrain, with the Bernese Alps to the south providing a picturesque backdrop.
Solar PV installations require areas with high solar irradiation levels and relatively flat surfaces for optimal performance. In terms of topography, flatter areas would be more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations as they would require less groundwork preparation compared to hilly terrains.
In this context, agricultural lands or open fields around Toffen could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. However, it's important to note that apart from topography and sunlight exposure, other factors such as land use policies, environmental considerations and proximity to electrical grids also play a crucial role in determining suitability for such projects.
Additionally, rooftops of commercial or industrial buildings can also serve as potential locations for installing solar panels without requiring additional land resources.
Please note that a detailed site survey along with local climate data analysis would be necessary to make definitive conclusions about specific sites' suitability.
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: Friday 12th of July 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.
