Solar PV Analysis of Neumünster, Germany
The location of Neumünster, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany is not the most ideal for year-round solar energy production because it's in the Northern Temperate Zone where sunlight varies a lot between seasons. However, it can still generate a decent amount of electricity from solar panels, especially during summer and spring.
In summer and spring, you can expect to get about 5.47kWh/day and 4.32kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar panel capacity. This means that these two seasons are the best times to harness solar energy at this location due to longer daylight hours and better sun exposure.
On the other hand, autumn and winter produce much less electricity - around 1.89kWh/day in autumn and even less at 0.87kWh/day in winter per kW of installed capacity - due to shorter days and lower sun intensity.
To maximize your total yearly output from your solar panels here, you should tilt them at an angle of 45 degrees facing southwards. This will help capture as much sunlight as possible throughout different times of the day across all seasons.
There might be some local factors that could affect your solar production though; these could include things like weather conditions (like frequent cloudy or foggy days), trees or buildings blocking sunlight etc., which may reduce how much light reaches your panels.
You can take preventative measures against such issues by placing your panels somewhere with minimal shade obstruction throughout the day (remove any obstructions if possible) or using tracking mounts that follow the sun’s path for maximum exposure. Regular cleaning is also essential to remove dust or snow accumulation on panels which might block sunlight too.
Remember though: while this location isn't perfect for year-round high-output solar power generation due its geographical position and varying seasonal light levels; with careful planning & installation strategies one can still effectively generate usable amounts of clean renewable energy over time from Solar PV here in Neumünster, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
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 826 locations across Germany. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Germany by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Neumünster
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.1098, Longitude: 10 (Neumünster, Germany), 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 45° South in Neumünster, Germany
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Neumünster, Germany (Lat/Long 54.1098, 10) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 45° 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 Neumünster, Germany
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 Neumünster, Germany. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 45° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37° South in Summer | 56° South in Autumn | 67° South in Winter | 46° 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 Neumünster, Germany
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 Neumünster, Germany.
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 Neumünster, Germany
Neumünster is located in the northern part of Germany, in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. The topography around Neumünster is largely flat to gently rolling, characteristic of Northern Germany's lowland geography. It is not mountainous or heavily forested, which makes it potentially suitable for solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects, the most suitable areas would be those with a lot of open and flat spaces that receive abundant sunlight throughout the year. In general, agricultural land and other open areas could be ideal for such projects around Neumünster.
However, it's important to note that while physical geography plays a role in determining suitability for solar power generation, other factors like local climate conditions (amount of annual sunshine), land use regulations and environmental considerations also play crucial roles.
As per data from European Environment Agency (EEA), Northern Germany receives moderate levels of sunlight compared to Southern Europe but still can support solar energy production.
The actual selection would require more detailed site surveys and feasibility studies considering all these factors along with grid connectivity possibilities too.
In terms of specific nearby locations: Plön District to the east and Segeberg District to the south-east are both relatively rural regions with plenty of open space that may be suited for large-scale solar PV installations.
Germany solar PV Stats as a country
Germany ranks 4th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 58,461 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 9.70% of Germany's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 3rd in the world). Each year Germany is generating 702 Watts from solar PV per capita (Germany ranks 3rd in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Germany?
Yes, there are a few incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Germany. These include feed-in tariffs, which guarantee businesses a price per kilowatt hour of electricity produced from their solar system; tax incentives such as the reduction of corporate income taxes; and subsidies from regional governments or utilities. Additionally, Germany's Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) provides additional support for projects that involve renewable energies.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Germany? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 2nd of July 2024
Last Updated: Tuesday 2nd of July 2024
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.
