Solar PV Analysis of Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The location at Bihać, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina seems to be reasonably suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, the efficiency varies with each season.
In summer, you can expect the highest output of about 7.27 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity. This is a good amount of electricity generation considering an average home uses around 30 kWh per day.
During spring, it drops slightly but still produces a decent amount at 5.27 kWh/day per kW installed.
However, in autumn and winter, the output significantly decreases to only 3.24 kWh/day and 1.75 kWh/day respectively due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity.
It's important to install your panels at an angle that will maximize their exposure to sunlight throughout all seasons - in this case, a tilt angle of about 37 degrees facing south is recommended for this location.
Local factors that could potentially impede solar production include weather conditions such as cloud cover or fog which are common in Bosnia during certain times of year especially winter months reducing sunlight availability; snowfall can also cover panels reducing their effectiveness unless cleared regularly.
To mitigate these issues:
- Regular maintenance including cleaning off any snow or debris from your panels can help ensure they're operating at maximum efficiency.
- Using tracking systems that adjust panel alignment according to sun position throughout the day could also increase energy production.
- Installing additional storage batteries may help store excess power generated during sunny periods for use when generation is low.
Remember though that while these steps can improve performance they also add costs so should be considered carefully based on local climate patterns and economic feasibility analysis before implementation.
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 30 locations across Bosnia and Herzegovina. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Bosnia and Herzegovina by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Bihać
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 44.8181, Longitude: 15.872 (Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina), 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 37° South in Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Lat/Long 44.8181, 15.872) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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 Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28° South in Summer | 48° South in Autumn | 59° South in Winter | 37° 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 Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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 Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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 Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bihać is located in the northwestern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, near the border with Croatia. The city lies in the Una River Valley which is surrounded by densely forested hills and mountains. Bihać itself is relatively flat as it's situated in a valley, but the surrounding areas are characterized by hilly and mountainous terrain.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are preferable because they require less groundwork preparation compared to steep slopes. Therefore, within this region, potential suitable locations could be:
1. The Una River Valley: This area around Bihać might be suitable for solar PV due to its flatter topography.
2. Agricultural Land: Any non-forest land being used for agriculture could potentially be converted into a solar farm if it isn't too hilly.
3. Near Infrastructure: Areas close to existing infrastructure (e.g., roads, power lines) would also be more ideal due to easier access for installation and maintenance.
However, several factors need to be considered before installing large-scale solar PV systems such as local climate conditions (amount of sunlight), land ownership issues, potential environmental impact especially on local biodiversity considering that Bihać is close to Una National Park which has diverse flora and fauna.
Additionally, any specific site would need an exact assessment including detailed topographic surveying data before deciding whether it's suitable for such a project or not.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 13th of May 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
