Solar PV Analysis of Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland
The location at Yverdon-les-Bains, Vaud, Switzerland is decent but not perfect for generating energy via solar PV throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced by a solar panel changes with the seasons. In summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can generate around 6.04 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day, which is pretty good. However, in autumn this drops to about 3.15 kWh/day and in winter it's even lower at around 1.63 kWh/day due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. Things start to improve again in spring with about 4.94 kWh/day generated per kW of installed solar.
To get the most energy from your panels all year round at this location, you should tilt them towards the south at an angle of about 40 degrees.
There could be some local factors that might affect how well your panels work though - like weather conditions or environmental issues specific to Yverdon-les-Bains area.
For example, if there are many cloudy days or lots of snowfall during winter months, these could reduce how much sunlight hits your panels and thus lower their output significantly during those times.
To combat this issue when installing solar panels here, you could consider using a system that allows you to adjust the angle of your panels throughout the year so they can capture more light as the sun's path changes across seasons (this would help especially in winter). You should also ensure regular cleaning and maintenance for removing any snow or debris blocking sunlight from reaching your panels effectively - having a clear line-of-sight between sun and panel is crucial for optimal performance!
So overall while not ideal all-year-round due to seasonal fluctuations in sunshine levels particularly over Winter months; with careful planning and installation considerations plus ongoing maintenance measures taken into account it’s still possible to harness significant amounts of renewable energy from Solar PV installations located here.
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 Yverdon-les-Bains
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.7669, Longitude: 6.6334 (Yverdon-les-Bains, 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 Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland (Lat/Long 46.7669, 6.6334) 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 Yverdon-les-Bains, 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 Yverdon-les-Bains, 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 Yverdon-les-Bains, 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 Yverdon-les-Bains, 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 Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland
Yverdon-les-Bains is located in the western part of Switzerland, in a flat region known as the Swiss plateau. The area is characterized by rolling plains and gentle hills, with several lakes and rivers including Lake Neuchatel to its west. To the east are the Jura Mountains, while further south are the higher peaks of the Alps.
As for solar PV potential, areas with high sun exposure and minimal shading would be most suitable. Given that Yverdon-les-Bains is relatively flat, this suggests much of the surrounding land could potentially be used for solar power generation provided it's not already being used for agriculture or urban development.
However, there are other factors to consider beyond just topography when determining suitability for large-scale solar PV projects. These include local climate conditions (solar irradiance levels), access to transmission infrastructure (proximity to power lines), land use restrictions or protections (e.g., protected natural areas), as well as social acceptance issues among local communities.
According to SolarGIS data which provides detailed information on global solar energy potential - Switzerland has moderate levels of sunlight compared with southern Europe but still enough to make solar panels a viable source of renewable energy.
In terms of specific locations near Yverdon-les-Bains that might be suited for large-scale solar PV installations; open fields or industrial zones could potentially serve this purpose given their typically low levels of shading and existing infrastructure access. However any such project would need careful planning permissions and environmental impact assessments before proceeding.
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: Wednesday 5th 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.
