An innovative way to estimate solar energy yields

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) publishes statistics on solar energy yields in the Netherlands. These estimates are based on the registered installed capacity, together with a previously calculated average yield per solar panel per year, corrected for the amount of solar radiation and the time period. The actual yield of a solar panel depends heavily on factors such as the weather, the time of year and local conditions such as trees or buildings that provide shade. CBS has used two new data sources to create an improved model to estimate the actual solar energy yields generated per day and per region.

New data sources

CBS maintains a register of certain basic characteristics of photovoltaic (PV) systems, the most relevant of which are location and capacity. This register is updated periodically to ensure that the growth in the number of PV systems is reflected in the statistics, keeping CBS informed of the total installed capacity and making it possible to estimate how much solar energy is being generated.

In addition to technical specifications, the yield of PV systems also depends heavily on the weather, such as solar radiation levels, wind, temperature and humidity. The yield also varies throughout the day and according to the time of year. Finally, environmental factors such as shadows from chimneys, dormer windows, trees and buildings can cause yields to vary greatly over the course of a given day.

To include the effects of all these factors in its calculations, CBS uses data on the actual electricity generation of PV systems. These data are already available for some of the larger installations in the Netherlands. Where an installation’s actual electricity generation is unknown, it is calculated using an average yield. This average is then corrected for the sunlight measured in that period and region, based on publicly available daily measurements from around 30 weather stations operated by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI).

Although the current figures have already been corrected for solar radiation, the relationship between that radiation and electricity production is not linear. For example, the electricity generated for the same radiation level is lower at a high ambient temperature than at a low temperature. There is also a limited density of measuring stations across the country. In order to include the effects of these and other factors in the calculations, new and additional data sources were explored to improve the estimates. This study used two new data sources, which are explored below.

Radiation data from satellites

The first data source involves radiation data. The KNMI calculates the amount of radiation in the Netherlands based on observations from the Meteosat satellite. The modelled radiation data are available for each 15-minute period for areas measuring three by six kilometres. This information allows for the formation of a detailed picture of the times and areas in the Netherlands that received more or less radiation. The figures below show the radiation received on 21 and 22 June 2016 and highlight the significant differences in received radiation that can arise on different days and in different parts of the Netherlands.

map Netherlands irradiance

PVOutput data portal

The second data source is the international data portal at pvoutput.org. A large number of private individuals and organisations have registered their PV systems with this portal, which shows them how their systems are performing. The solar panel yields are generally measured every five minutes for each connected system, and there are approximately 5,500 connected installations in the Netherlands. This study analysed these measurements. Strict validation checks have been defined so as to exclude measurements that are less reliable, for example due to a temporary break in the connection. On average, about 1,200 systems are used in the calculations each day. The attached figure shows an annual pattern of measurements from one of these installations over the course of 2016. At this installation, the highest yields were achieved between the end of May and the beginning of July from approximately 13:00 to 17:00. Different individual installations have different yield patterns.

annual pattern solar panel yields

New method

The new method uses the two data sources to statistically map out the solar power yield for the whole of the Netherlands, based on the measurements from PVOutput and taking into account the radiation calculated by the KNMI. To this end, both data sources are linked on the basis of location, making it possible to obtain the total radiation and total solar power, normalised by system size, day and location. This relationship is then used to calculate the most likely daily yield. For a more detailed description of this innovative method, which was developed in collaboration with Professor van Sark from Utrecht University, please read the pre-print of the paper.

Solar power per day for the whole of the Netherlands

The figure below gives the solar power yield for the whole of the Netherlands in 2016. It clearly shows that the actual yield varies greatly from day to day, with summer yields being on average higher than winter yields, as might be expected. The yield on a clear day in summer can be up to ten times higher than on a grey winter’s day. On the other hand, some winter days, for example in early February, actually saw higher yields than on an unfavourable summer day such as those in mid-May.

Solar energy per day, 2016
month,day,energy Jan,1,1.39 Jan,2,0.54 Jan,3,0.63 Jan,4,0.46 Jan,5,0.41 Jan,6,0.43 Jan,7,0.4 Jan,8,2.52 Jan,9,0.6 Jan,10,2.02 Jan,11,0.4 Jan,12,0.86 Jan,13,0.72 Jan,14,0.66 Jan,15,0.47 Jan,16,1.54 Jan,17,2.83 Jan,18,2.92 Jan,19,1.91 Jan,20,1.09 Jan,21,0.82 Jan,22,2.01 Jan,23,1.68 Jan,24,0.41 Jan,25,3.19 Jan,26,1.47 Jan,27,0.4 Jan,28,3.9 Jan,29,0.43 Jan,30,0.4 Jan,31,0.72 Feb,1,0.58 Feb,2,1.06 Feb,3,2.62 Feb,4,0.49 Feb,5,0.47 Feb,6,0.72 Feb,7,2.26 Feb,8,1.91 Feb,9,0.43 Feb,10,1.63 Feb,11,3.53 Feb,12,2.19 Feb,13,2.22 Feb,14,0.43 Feb,15,3.84 Feb,16,5.76 Feb,17,5.57 Feb,18,2.08 Feb,19,3.91 Feb,20,0.56 Feb,21,0.45 Feb,22,0.72 Feb,23,3.72 Feb,24,4.36 Feb,25,3.8 Feb,26,2.45 Feb,27,6.35 Feb,28,5.96 Feb,29,6.29 Mar,1,1.22 Mar,2,3.25 Mar,3,4.25 Mar,4,0.74 Mar,5,3.74 Mar,6,3.44 Mar,7,4.84 Mar,8,3.63 Mar,9,4.93 Mar,10,6.34 Mar,11,4.02 Mar,12,7.3 Mar,13,7.53 Mar,14,7.61 Mar,15,1.96 Mar,16,6.54 Mar,17,7.81 Mar,18,1.09 Mar,19,1.73 Mar,20,2.32 Mar,21,1.64 Mar,22,3.02 Mar,23,3.1 Mar,24,1.59 Mar,25,2.07 Mar,26,7.77 Mar,27,4.45 Mar,28,4.46 Mar,29,4.63 Mar,30,6.06 Mar,31,3.84 Apr,1,8.12 Apr,2,4.1 Apr,3,5.94 Apr,4,4.38 Apr,5,2.63 Apr,6,2.72 Apr,7,5.04 Apr,8,5.07 Apr,9,6.84 Apr,10,7.41 Apr,11,8.98 Apr,12,6.83 Apr,13,5.83 Apr,14,6.9 Apr,15,3.21 Apr,16,5.12 Apr,17,6.85 Apr,18,6.44 Apr,19,7.48 Apr,20,9.44 Apr,21,9.78 Apr,22,6.86 Apr,23,6.8 Apr,24,7.34 Apr,25,3.39 Apr,26,4.97 Apr,27,5.85 Apr,28,6.61 Apr,29,4.42 Apr,30,6.18 May,1,9.41 May,2,8.74 May,3,9.24 May,4,8.99 May,5,10.68 May,6,10.01 May,7,9.63 May,8,10.29 May,9,9.96 May,10,4.88 May,11,8.76 May,12,9.63 May,13,10.13 May,14,6.74 May,15,6.64 May,16,5.99 May,17,7.19 May,18,5.35 May,19,6.78 May,20,3.46 May,21,6.85 May,22,2.81 May,23,2.12 May,24,4.29 May,25,3.52 May,26,7.98 May,27,7.84 May,28,8.41 May,29,4.33 May,30,3.5 May,31,6.37 Jun,1,5.72 Jun,2,3.83 Jun,3,5.58 Jun,4,8.28 Jun,5,10.22 Jun,6,10.34 Jun,7,9.15 Jun,8,8.76 Jun,9,10.06 Jun,10,9.16 Jun,11,5.61 Jun,12,5.08 Jun,13,4.53 Jun,14,5.2 Jun,15,5.74 Jun,16,7.66 Jun,17,6.03 Jun,18,5.1 Jun,19,7.74 Jun,20,2.19 Jun,21,4.88 Jun,22,8.17 Jun,23,6.6 Jun,24,6.08 Jun,25,3.72 Jun,26,7.26 Jun,27,3.92 Jun,28,7.29 Jun,29,7.02 Jun,30,3.64 Jul,1,2.81 Jul,2,8.62 Jul,3,8.67 Jul,4,8.96 Jul,5,4.47 Jul,6,9.49 Jul,7,8.46 Jul,8,4.47 Jul,9,7.35 Jul,10,9.1 Jul,11,6.4 Jul,12,6.92 Jul,13,5.69 Jul,14,7.62 Jul,15,8.76 Jul,16,4.38 Jul,17,8.27 Jul,18,10.5 Jul,19,10.48 Jul,20,9.46 Jul,21,9.34 Jul,22,6.48 Jul,23,7.23 Jul,24,7.53 Jul,25,5.19 Jul,26,7.77 Jul,27,5.47 Jul,28,5.74 Jul,29,5.34 Jul,30,5.16 Jul,31,6.54 Aug,1,7.48 Aug,2,3.09 Aug,3,2.73 Aug,4,5.65 Aug,5,7.81 Aug,6,7.46 Aug,7,5.37 Aug,8,7.21 Aug,9,7.03 Aug,10,8.41 Aug,11,2.24 Aug,12,4.26 Aug,13,5.45 Aug,14,6.97 Aug,15,9.12 Aug,16,9.12 Aug,17,10.87 Aug,18,10.18 Aug,19,6.55 Aug,20,7.66 Aug,21,4.61 Aug,22,3.62 Aug,23,9.26 Aug,24,10.01 Aug,25,9.82 Aug,26,8.52 Aug,27,8.85 Aug,28,6.54 Aug,29,6.26 Aug,30,9.54 Aug,31,9.53 Sep,1,6.96 Sep,2,6.03 Sep,3,6.62 Sep,4,4.85 Sep,5,7.36 Sep,6,6.59 Sep,7,9.48 Sep,8,9.12 Sep,9,8.28 Sep,10,8.85 Sep,11,4.23 Sep,12,8.65 Sep,13,8.49 Sep,14,8.42 Sep,15,8.0 Sep,16,4.4 Sep,17,3.94 Sep,18,5.54 Sep,19,4.81 Sep,20,5.36 Sep,21,6.95 Sep,22,5.34 Sep,23,7.25 Sep,24,7.97 Sep,25,7.2 Sep,26,5.23 Sep,27,8.43 Sep,28,6.41 Sep,29,1.71 Sep,30,5.48 Oct,1,4.24 Oct,2,2.92 Oct,3,5.76 Oct,4,5.53 Oct,5,8.4 Oct,6,4.52 Oct,7,2.72 Oct,8,4.79 Oct,9,5.22 Oct,10,5.27 Oct,11,3.19 Oct,12,2.01 Oct,13,2.99 Oct,14,4.01 Oct,15,1.71 Oct,16,6.96 Oct,17,3.78 Oct,18,1.8 Oct,19,2.98 Oct,20,1.64 Oct,21,3.07 Oct,22,3.34 Oct,23,4.51 Oct,24,1.19 Oct,25,1.8 Oct,26,2.96 Oct,27,1.82 Oct,28,0.62 Oct,29,4.7 Oct,30,3.18 Oct,31,4.87 Nov,1,1.61 Nov,2,3.85 Nov,3,2.58 Nov,4,1.84 Nov,5,2.28 Nov,6,2.12 Nov,7,0.79 Nov,8,2.26 Nov,9,0.75 Nov,10,0.89 Nov,11,3.85 Nov,12,2.32 Nov,13,0.55 Nov,14,0.88 Nov,15,0.53 Nov,16,1.49 Nov,17,1.63 Nov,18,1.68 Nov,19,2.07 Nov,20,0.75 Nov,21,0.56 Nov,22,2.5 Nov,23,0.96 Nov,24,2.52 Nov,25,4.12 Nov,26,2.2 Nov,27,1.86 Nov,28,4.23 Nov,29,4.15 Nov,30,1.99 Dec,1,0.56 Dec,2,1.47 Dec,3,2.7 Dec,4,3.85 Dec,5,3.79 Dec,6,3.25 Dec,7,0.81 Dec,8,1.31 Dec,9,0.68 Dec,10,0.61 Dec,11,1.08 Dec,12,0.63 Dec,13,0.54 Dec,14,1.21 Dec,15,0.8 Dec,16,1.81 Dec,17,0.55 Dec,18,0.86 Dec,19,2.01 Dec,20,1.75 Dec,21,1.04 Dec,22,0.61 Dec,23,0.91 Dec,24,1.12 Dec,25,0.55 Dec,26,2.21 Dec,27,2.81 Dec,28,0.75 Dec,29,1.97 Dec,30,2.14 Dec,31,0.64		energy (solar energy (GWh))
Jan	1	1.39
Jan	2	0.54
Jan	3	0.63
Jan	4	0.46
Jan	5	0.41
Jan	6	0.43
Jan	7	0.4
Jan	8	2.52
Jan	9	0.6
Jan	10	2.02
Jan	11	0.4
Jan	12	0.86
Jan	13	0.72
Jan	14	0.66
Jan	15	0.47
Jan	16	1.54
Jan	17	2.83
Jan	18	2.92
Jan	19	1.91
Jan	20	1.09
Jan	21	0.82
Jan	22	2.01
Jan	23	1.68
Jan	24	0.41
Jan	25	3.19
Jan	26	1.47
Jan	27	0.4
Jan	28	3.9
Jan	29	0.43
Jan	30	0.4
Jan	31	0.72
Feb	1	0.58
Feb	2	1.06
Feb	3	2.62
Feb	4	0.49
Feb	5	0.47
Feb	6	0.72
Feb	7	2.26
Feb	8	1.91
Feb	9	0.43
Feb	10	1.63
Feb	11	3.53
Feb	12	2.19
Feb	13	2.22
Feb	14	0.43
Feb	15	3.84
Feb	16	5.76
Feb	17	5.57
Feb	18	2.08
Feb	19	3.91
Feb	20	0.56
Feb	21	0.45
Feb	22	0.72
Feb	23	3.72
Feb	24	4.36
Feb	25	3.8
Feb	26	2.45
Feb	27	6.35
Feb	28	5.96
Feb	29	6.29
Mar	1	1.22
Mar	2	3.25
Mar	3	4.25
Mar	4	0.74
Mar	5	3.74
Mar	6	3.44
Mar	7	4.84
Mar	8	3.63
Mar	9	4.93
Mar	10	6.34
Mar	11	4.02
Mar	12	7.3
Mar	13	7.53
Mar	14	7.61
Mar	15	1.96
Mar	16	6.54
Mar	17	7.81
Mar	18	1.09
Mar	19	1.73
Mar	20	2.32
Mar	21	1.64
Mar	22	3.02
Mar	23	3.1
Mar	24	1.59
Mar	25	2.07
Mar	26	7.77
Mar	27	4.45
Mar	28	4.46
Mar	29	4.63
Mar	30	6.06
Mar	31	3.84
Apr	1	8.12
Apr	2	4.1
Apr	3	5.94
Apr	4	4.38
Apr	5	2.63
Apr	6	2.72
Apr	7	5.04
Apr	8	5.07
Apr	9	6.84
Apr	10	7.41
Apr	11	8.98
Apr	12	6.83
Apr	13	5.83
Apr	14	6.9
Apr	15	3.21
Apr	16	5.12
Apr	17	6.85
Apr	18	6.44
Apr	19	7.48
Apr	20	9.44
Apr	21	9.78
Apr	22	6.86
Apr	23	6.8
Apr	24	7.34
Apr	25	3.39
Apr	26	4.97
Apr	27	5.85
Apr	28	6.61
Apr	29	4.42
Apr	30	6.18
May	1	9.41
May	2	8.74
May	3	9.24
May	4	8.99
May	5	10.68
May	6	10.01
May	7	9.63
May	8	10.29
May	9	9.96
May	10	4.88
May	11	8.76
May	12	9.63
May	13	10.13
May	14	6.74
May	15	6.64
May	16	5.99
May	17	7.19
May	18	5.35
May	19	6.78
May	20	3.46
May	21	6.85
May	22	2.81
May	23	2.12
May	24	4.29
May	25	3.52
May	26	7.98
May	27	7.84
May	28	8.41
May	29	4.33
May	30	3.5
May	31	6.37
Jun	1	5.72
Jun	2	3.83
Jun	3	5.58
Jun	4	8.28
Jun	5	10.22
Jun	6	10.34
Jun	7	9.15
Jun	8	8.76
Jun	9	10.06
Jun	10	9.16
Jun	11	5.61
Jun	12	5.08
Jun	13	4.53
Jun	14	5.2
Jun	15	5.74
Jun	16	7.66
Jun	17	6.03
Jun	18	5.1
Jun	19	7.74
Jun	20	2.19
Jun	21	4.88
Jun	22	8.17
Jun	23	6.6
Jun	24	6.08
Jun	25	3.72
Jun	26	7.26
Jun	27	3.92
Jun	28	7.29
Jun	29	7.02
Jun	30	3.64
Jul	1	2.81
Jul	2	8.62
Jul	3	8.67
Jul	4	8.96
Jul	5	4.47
Jul	6	9.49
Jul	7	8.46
Jul	8	4.47
Jul	9	7.35
Jul	10	9.1
Jul	11	6.4
Jul	12	6.92
Jul	13	5.69
Jul	14	7.62
Jul	15	8.76
Jul	16	4.38
Jul	17	8.27
Jul	18	10.5
Jul	19	10.48
Jul	20	9.46
Jul	21	9.34
Jul	22	6.48
Jul	23	7.23
Jul	24	7.53
Jul	25	5.19
Jul	26	7.77
Jul	27	5.47
Jul	28	5.74
Jul	29	5.34
Jul	30	5.16
Jul	31	6.54
Aug	1	7.48
Aug	2	3.09
Aug	3	2.73
Aug	4	5.65
Aug	5	7.81
Aug	6	7.46
Aug	7	5.37
Aug	8	7.21
Aug	9	7.03
Aug	10	8.41
Aug	11	2.24
Aug	12	4.26
Aug	13	5.45
Aug	14	6.97
Aug	15	9.12
Aug	16	9.12
Aug	17	10.87
Aug	18	10.18
Aug	19	6.55
Aug	20	7.66
Aug	21	4.61
Aug	22	3.62
Aug	23	9.26
Aug	24	10.01
Aug	25	9.82
Aug	26	8.52
Aug	27	8.85
Aug	28	6.54
Aug	29	6.26
Aug	30	9.54
Aug	31	9.53
Sep	1	6.96
Sep	2	6.03
Sep	3	6.62
Sep	4	4.85
Sep	5	7.36
Sep	6	6.59
Sep	7	9.48
Sep	8	9.12
Sep	9	8.28
Sep	10	8.85
Sep	11	4.23
Sep	12	8.65
Sep	13	8.49
Sep	14	8.42
Sep	15	8.0
Sep	16	4.4
Sep	17	3.94
Sep	18	5.54
Sep	19	4.81
Sep	20	5.36
Sep	21	6.95
Sep	22	5.34
Sep	23	7.25
Sep	24	7.97
Sep	25	7.2
Sep	26	5.23
Sep	27	8.43
Sep	28	6.41
Sep	29	1.71
Sep	30	5.48
Oct	1	4.24
Oct	2	2.92
Oct	3	5.76
Oct	4	5.53
Oct	5	8.4
Oct	6	4.52
Oct	7	2.72
Oct	8	4.79
Oct	9	5.22
Oct	10	5.27
Oct	11	3.19
Oct	12	2.01
Oct	13	2.99
Oct	14	4.01
Oct	15	1.71
Oct	16	6.96
Oct	17	3.78
Oct	18	1.8
Oct	19	2.98
Oct	20	1.64
Oct	21	3.07
Oct	22	3.34
Oct	23	4.51
Oct	24	1.19
Oct	25	1.8
Oct	26	2.96
Oct	27	1.82
Oct	28	0.62
Oct	29	4.7
Oct	30	3.18
Oct	31	4.87
Nov	1	1.61
Nov	2	3.85
Nov	3	2.58
Nov	4	1.84
Nov	5	2.28
Nov	6	2.12
Nov	7	0.79
Nov	8	2.26
Nov	9	0.75
Nov	10	0.89
Nov	11	3.85
Nov	12	2.32
Nov	13	0.55
Nov	14	0.88
Nov	15	0.53
Nov	16	1.49
Nov	17	1.63
Nov	18	1.68
Nov	19	2.07
Nov	20	0.75
Nov	21	0.56
Nov	22	2.5
Nov	23	0.96
Nov	24	2.52
Nov	25	4.12
Nov	26	2.2
Nov	27	1.86
Nov	28	4.23
Nov	29	4.15
Nov	30	1.99
Dec	1	0.56
Dec	2	1.47
Dec	3	2.7
Dec	4	3.85
Dec	5	3.79
Dec	6	3.25
Dec	7	0.81
Dec	8	1.31
Dec	9	0.68
Dec	10	0.61
Dec	11	1.08
Dec	12	0.63
Dec	13	0.54
Dec	14	1.21
Dec	15	0.8
Dec	16	1.81
Dec	17	0.55
Dec	18	0.86
Dec	19	2.01
Dec	20	1.75
Dec	21	1.04
Dec	22	0.61
Dec	23	0.91
Dec	24	1.12
Dec	25	0.55
Dec	26	2.21
Dec	27	2.81
Dec	28	0.75
Dec	29	1.97
Dec	30	2.14
Dec	31	0.64

Solar energy per day, 2016
month,day,energy Jan,1,1.39 Jan,2,0.54 Jan,3,0.63 Jan,4,0.46 Jan,5,0.41 Jan,6,0.43 Jan,7,0.4 Jan,8,2.52 Jan,9,0.6 Jan,10,2.02 Jan,11,0.4 Jan,12,0.86 Jan,13,0.72 Jan,14,0.66 Jan,15,0.47 Jan,16,1.54 Jan,17,2.83 Jan,18,2.92 Jan,19,1.91 Jan,20,1.09 Jan,21,0.82 Jan,22,2.01 Jan,23,1.68 Jan,24,0.41 Jan,25,3.19 Jan,26,1.47 Jan,27,0.4 Jan,28,3.9 Jan,29,0.43 Jan,30,0.4 Jan,31,0.72 Feb,1,0.58 Feb,2,1.06 Feb,3,2.62 Feb,4,0.49 Feb,5,0.47 Feb,6,0.72 Feb,7,2.26 Feb,8,1.91 Feb,9,0.43 Feb,10,1.63 Feb,11,3.53 Feb,12,2.19 Feb,13,2.22 Feb,14,0.43 Feb,15,3.84 Feb,16,5.76 Feb,17,5.57 Feb,18,2.08 Feb,19,3.91 Feb,20,0.56 Feb,21,0.45 Feb,22,0.72 Feb,23,3.72 Feb,24,4.36 Feb,25,3.8 Feb,26,2.45 Feb,27,6.35 Feb,28,5.96 Feb,29,6.29 Mar,1,1.22 Mar,2,3.25 Mar,3,4.25 Mar,4,0.74 Mar,5,3.74 Mar,6,3.44 Mar,7,4.84 Mar,8,3.63 Mar,9,4.93 Mar,10,6.34 Mar,11,4.02 Mar,12,7.3 Mar,13,7.53 Mar,14,7.61 Mar,15,1.96 Mar,16,6.54 Mar,17,7.81 Mar,18,1.09 Mar,19,1.73 Mar,20,2.32 Mar,21,1.64 Mar,22,3.02 Mar,23,3.1 Mar,24,1.59 Mar,25,2.07 Mar,26,7.77 Mar,27,4.45 Mar,28,4.46 Mar,29,4.63 Mar,30,6.06 Mar,31,3.84 Apr,1,8.12 Apr,2,4.1 Apr,3,5.94 Apr,4,4.38 Apr,5,2.63 Apr,6,2.72 Apr,7,5.04 Apr,8,5.07 Apr,9,6.84 Apr,10,7.41 Apr,11,8.98 Apr,12,6.83 Apr,13,5.83 Apr,14,6.9 Apr,15,3.21 Apr,16,5.12 Apr,17,6.85 Apr,18,6.44 Apr,19,7.48 Apr,20,9.44 Apr,21,9.78 Apr,22,6.86 Apr,23,6.8 Apr,24,7.34 Apr,25,3.39 Apr,26,4.97 Apr,27,5.85 Apr,28,6.61 Apr,29,4.42 Apr,30,6.18 May,1,9.41 May,2,8.74 May,3,9.24 May,4,8.99 May,5,10.68 May,6,10.01 May,7,9.63 May,8,10.29 May,9,9.96 May,10,4.88 May,11,8.76 May,12,9.63 May,13,10.13 May,14,6.74 May,15,6.64 May,16,5.99 May,17,7.19 May,18,5.35 May,19,6.78 May,20,3.46 May,21,6.85 May,22,2.81 May,23,2.12 May,24,4.29 May,25,3.52 May,26,7.98 May,27,7.84 May,28,8.41 May,29,4.33 May,30,3.5 May,31,6.37 Jun,1,5.72 Jun,2,3.83 Jun,3,5.58 Jun,4,8.28 Jun,5,10.22 Jun,6,10.34 Jun,7,9.15 Jun,8,8.76 Jun,9,10.06 Jun,10,9.16 Jun,11,5.61 Jun,12,5.08 Jun,13,4.53 Jun,14,5.2 Jun,15,5.74 Jun,16,7.66 Jun,17,6.03 Jun,18,5.1 Jun,19,7.74 Jun,20,2.19 Jun,21,4.88 Jun,22,8.17 Jun,23,6.6 Jun,24,6.08 Jun,25,3.72 Jun,26,7.26 Jun,27,3.92 Jun,28,7.29 Jun,29,7.02 Jun,30,3.64 Jul,1,2.81 Jul,2,8.62 Jul,3,8.67 Jul,4,8.96 Jul,5,4.47 Jul,6,9.49 Jul,7,8.46 Jul,8,4.47 Jul,9,7.35 Jul,10,9.1 Jul,11,6.4 Jul,12,6.92 Jul,13,5.69 Jul,14,7.62 Jul,15,8.76 Jul,16,4.38 Jul,17,8.27 Jul,18,10.5 Jul,19,10.48 Jul,20,9.46 Jul,21,9.34 Jul,22,6.48 Jul,23,7.23 Jul,24,7.53 Jul,25,5.19 Jul,26,7.77 Jul,27,5.47 Jul,28,5.74 Jul,29,5.34 Jul,30,5.16 Jul,31,6.54 Aug,1,7.48 Aug,2,3.09 Aug,3,2.73 Aug,4,5.65 Aug,5,7.81 Aug,6,7.46 Aug,7,5.37 Aug,8,7.21 Aug,9,7.03 Aug,10,8.41 Aug,11,2.24 Aug,12,4.26 Aug,13,5.45 Aug,14,6.97 Aug,15,9.12 Aug,16,9.12 Aug,17,10.87 Aug,18,10.18 Aug,19,6.55 Aug,20,7.66 Aug,21,4.61 Aug,22,3.62 Aug,23,9.26 Aug,24,10.01 Aug,25,9.82 Aug,26,8.52 Aug,27,8.85 Aug,28,6.54 Aug,29,6.26 Aug,30,9.54 Aug,31,9.53 Sep,1,6.96 Sep,2,6.03 Sep,3,6.62 Sep,4,4.85 Sep,5,7.36 Sep,6,6.59 Sep,7,9.48 Sep,8,9.12 Sep,9,8.28 Sep,10,8.85 Sep,11,4.23 Sep,12,8.65 Sep,13,8.49 Sep,14,8.42 Sep,15,8.0 Sep,16,4.4 Sep,17,3.94 Sep,18,5.54 Sep,19,4.81 Sep,20,5.36 Sep,21,6.95 Sep,22,5.34 Sep,23,7.25 Sep,24,7.97 Sep,25,7.2 Sep,26,5.23 Sep,27,8.43 Sep,28,6.41 Sep,29,1.71 Sep,30,5.48 Oct,1,4.24 Oct,2,2.92 Oct,3,5.76 Oct,4,5.53 Oct,5,8.4 Oct,6,4.52 Oct,7,2.72 Oct,8,4.79 Oct,9,5.22 Oct,10,5.27 Oct,11,3.19 Oct,12,2.01 Oct,13,2.99 Oct,14,4.01 Oct,15,1.71 Oct,16,6.96 Oct,17,3.78 Oct,18,1.8 Oct,19,2.98 Oct,20,1.64 Oct,21,3.07 Oct,22,3.34 Oct,23,4.51 Oct,24,1.19 Oct,25,1.8 Oct,26,2.96 Oct,27,1.82 Oct,28,0.62 Oct,29,4.7 Oct,30,3.18 Oct,31,4.87 Nov,1,1.61 Nov,2,3.85 Nov,3,2.58 Nov,4,1.84 Nov,5,2.28 Nov,6,2.12 Nov,7,0.79 Nov,8,2.26 Nov,9,0.75 Nov,10,0.89 Nov,11,3.85 Nov,12,2.32 Nov,13,0.55 Nov,14,0.88 Nov,15,0.53 Nov,16,1.49 Nov,17,1.63 Nov,18,1.68 Nov,19,2.07 Nov,20,0.75 Nov,21,0.56 Nov,22,2.5 Nov,23,0.96 Nov,24,2.52 Nov,25,4.12 Nov,26,2.2 Nov,27,1.86 Nov,28,4.23 Nov,29,4.15 Nov,30,1.99 Dec,1,0.56 Dec,2,1.47 Dec,3,2.7 Dec,4,3.85 Dec,5,3.79 Dec,6,3.25 Dec,7,0.81 Dec,8,1.31 Dec,9,0.68 Dec,10,0.61 Dec,11,1.08 Dec,12,0.63 Dec,13,0.54 Dec,14,1.21 Dec,15,0.8 Dec,16,1.81 Dec,17,0.55 Dec,18,0.86 Dec,19,2.01 Dec,20,1.75 Dec,21,1.04 Dec,22,0.61 Dec,23,0.91 Dec,24,1.12 Dec,25,0.55 Dec,26,2.21 Dec,27,2.81 Dec,28,0.75 Dec,29,1.97 Dec,30,2.14 Dec,31,0.64		energy (solar energy (GWh))
Jan	1	1.39
Jan	2	0.54
Jan	3	0.63
Jan	4	0.46
Jan	5	0.41
Jan	6	0.43
Jan	7	0.4
Jan	8	2.52
Jan	9	0.6
Jan	10	2.02
Jan	11	0.4
Jan	12	0.86
Jan	13	0.72
Jan	14	0.66
Jan	15	0.47
Jan	16	1.54
Jan	17	2.83
Jan	18	2.92
Jan	19	1.91
Jan	20	1.09
Jan	21	0.82
Jan	22	2.01
Jan	23	1.68
Jan	24	0.41
Jan	25	3.19
Jan	26	1.47
Jan	27	0.4
Jan	28	3.9
Jan	29	0.43
Jan	30	0.4
Jan	31	0.72
Feb	1	0.58
Feb	2	1.06
Feb	3	2.62
Feb	4	0.49
Feb	5	0.47
Feb	6	0.72
Feb	7	2.26
Feb	8	1.91
Feb	9	0.43
Feb	10	1.63
Feb	11	3.53
Feb	12	2.19
Feb	13	2.22
Feb	14	0.43
Feb	15	3.84
Feb	16	5.76
Feb	17	5.57
Feb	18	2.08
Feb	19	3.91
Feb	20	0.56
Feb	21	0.45
Feb	22	0.72
Feb	23	3.72
Feb	24	4.36
Feb	25	3.8
Feb	26	2.45
Feb	27	6.35
Feb	28	5.96
Feb	29	6.29
Mar	1	1.22
Mar	2	3.25
Mar	3	4.25
Mar	4	0.74
Mar	5	3.74
Mar	6	3.44
Mar	7	4.84
Mar	8	3.63
Mar	9	4.93
Mar	10	6.34
Mar	11	4.02
Mar	12	7.3
Mar	13	7.53
Mar	14	7.61
Mar	15	1.96
Mar	16	6.54
Mar	17	7.81
Mar	18	1.09
Mar	19	1.73
Mar	20	2.32
Mar	21	1.64
Mar	22	3.02
Mar	23	3.1
Mar	24	1.59
Mar	25	2.07
Mar	26	7.77
Mar	27	4.45
Mar	28	4.46
Mar	29	4.63
Mar	30	6.06
Mar	31	3.84
Apr	1	8.12
Apr	2	4.1
Apr	3	5.94
Apr	4	4.38
Apr	5	2.63
Apr	6	2.72
Apr	7	5.04
Apr	8	5.07
Apr	9	6.84
Apr	10	7.41
Apr	11	8.98
Apr	12	6.83
Apr	13	5.83
Apr	14	6.9
Apr	15	3.21
Apr	16	5.12
Apr	17	6.85
Apr	18	6.44
Apr	19	7.48
Apr	20	9.44
Apr	21	9.78
Apr	22	6.86
Apr	23	6.8
Apr	24	7.34
Apr	25	3.39
Apr	26	4.97
Apr	27	5.85
Apr	28	6.61
Apr	29	4.42
Apr	30	6.18
May	1	9.41
May	2	8.74
May	3	9.24
May	4	8.99
May	5	10.68
May	6	10.01
May	7	9.63
May	8	10.29
May	9	9.96
May	10	4.88
May	11	8.76
May	12	9.63
May	13	10.13
May	14	6.74
May	15	6.64
May	16	5.99
May	17	7.19
May	18	5.35
May	19	6.78
May	20	3.46
May	21	6.85
May	22	2.81
May	23	2.12
May	24	4.29
May	25	3.52
May	26	7.98
May	27	7.84
May	28	8.41
May	29	4.33
May	30	3.5
May	31	6.37
Jun	1	5.72
Jun	2	3.83
Jun	3	5.58
Jun	4	8.28
Jun	5	10.22
Jun	6	10.34
Jun	7	9.15
Jun	8	8.76
Jun	9	10.06
Jun	10	9.16
Jun	11	5.61
Jun	12	5.08
Jun	13	4.53
Jun	14	5.2
Jun	15	5.74
Jun	16	7.66
Jun	17	6.03
Jun	18	5.1
Jun	19	7.74
Jun	20	2.19
Jun	21	4.88
Jun	22	8.17
Jun	23	6.6
Jun	24	6.08
Jun	25	3.72
Jun	26	7.26
Jun	27	3.92
Jun	28	7.29
Jun	29	7.02
Jun	30	3.64
Jul	1	2.81
Jul	2	8.62
Jul	3	8.67
Jul	4	8.96
Jul	5	4.47
Jul	6	9.49
Jul	7	8.46
Jul	8	4.47
Jul	9	7.35
Jul	10	9.1
Jul	11	6.4
Jul	12	6.92
Jul	13	5.69
Jul	14	7.62
Jul	15	8.76
Jul	16	4.38
Jul	17	8.27
Jul	18	10.5
Jul	19	10.48
Jul	20	9.46
Jul	21	9.34
Jul	22	6.48
Jul	23	7.23
Jul	24	7.53
Jul	25	5.19
Jul	26	7.77
Jul	27	5.47
Jul	28	5.74
Jul	29	5.34
Jul	30	5.16
Jul	31	6.54
Aug	1	7.48
Aug	2	3.09
Aug	3	2.73
Aug	4	5.65
Aug	5	7.81
Aug	6	7.46
Aug	7	5.37
Aug	8	7.21
Aug	9	7.03
Aug	10	8.41
Aug	11	2.24
Aug	12	4.26
Aug	13	5.45
Aug	14	6.97
Aug	15	9.12
Aug	16	9.12
Aug	17	10.87
Aug	18	10.18
Aug	19	6.55
Aug	20	7.66
Aug	21	4.61
Aug	22	3.62
Aug	23	9.26
Aug	24	10.01
Aug	25	9.82
Aug	26	8.52
Aug	27	8.85
Aug	28	6.54
Aug	29	6.26
Aug	30	9.54
Aug	31	9.53
Sep	1	6.96
Sep	2	6.03
Sep	3	6.62
Sep	4	4.85
Sep	5	7.36
Sep	6	6.59
Sep	7	9.48
Sep	8	9.12
Sep	9	8.28
Sep	10	8.85
Sep	11	4.23
Sep	12	8.65
Sep	13	8.49
Sep	14	8.42
Sep	15	8.0
Sep	16	4.4
Sep	17	3.94
Sep	18	5.54
Sep	19	4.81
Sep	20	5.36
Sep	21	6.95
Sep	22	5.34
Sep	23	7.25
Sep	24	7.97
Sep	25	7.2
Sep	26	5.23
Sep	27	8.43
Sep	28	6.41
Sep	29	1.71
Sep	30	5.48
Oct	1	4.24
Oct	2	2.92
Oct	3	5.76
Oct	4	5.53
Oct	5	8.4
Oct	6	4.52
Oct	7	2.72
Oct	8	4.79
Oct	9	5.22
Oct	10	5.27
Oct	11	3.19
Oct	12	2.01
Oct	13	2.99
Oct	14	4.01
Oct	15	1.71
Oct	16	6.96
Oct	17	3.78
Oct	18	1.8
Oct	19	2.98
Oct	20	1.64
Oct	21	3.07
Oct	22	3.34
Oct	23	4.51
Oct	24	1.19
Oct	25	1.8
Oct	26	2.96
Oct	27	1.82
Oct	28	0.62
Oct	29	4.7
Oct	30	3.18
Oct	31	4.87
Nov	1	1.61
Nov	2	3.85
Nov	3	2.58
Nov	4	1.84
Nov	5	2.28
Nov	6	2.12
Nov	7	0.79
Nov	8	2.26
Nov	9	0.75
Nov	10	0.89
Nov	11	3.85
Nov	12	2.32
Nov	13	0.55
Nov	14	0.88
Nov	15	0.53
Nov	16	1.49
Nov	17	1.63
Nov	18	1.68
Nov	19	2.07
Nov	20	0.75
Nov	21	0.56
Nov	22	2.5
Nov	23	0.96
Nov	24	2.52
Nov	25	4.12
Nov	26	2.2
Nov	27	1.86
Nov	28	4.23
Nov	29	4.15
Nov	30	1.99
Dec	1	0.56
Dec	2	1.47
Dec	3	2.7
Dec	4	3.85
Dec	5	3.79
Dec	6	3.25
Dec	7	0.81
Dec	8	1.31
Dec	9	0.68
Dec	10	0.61
Dec	11	1.08
Dec	12	0.63
Dec	13	0.54
Dec	14	1.21
Dec	15	0.8
Dec	16	1.81
Dec	17	0.55
Dec	18	0.86
Dec	19	2.01
Dec	20	1.75
Dec	21	1.04
Dec	22	0.61
Dec	23	0.91
Dec	24	1.12
Dec	25	0.55
Dec	26	2.21
Dec	27	2.81
Dec	28	0.75
Dec	29	1.97
Dec	30	2.14
Dec	31	0.64

It is important to realise that, although this graph gives the solar electricity yield in absolute values (GWh), the total number of PV systems installed in the Netherlands is growing over time.

Solar power per day and per region

To obtain an estimate per region, the estimate of the solar power generated in the Netherlands each day has been translated into an estimate per municipality per day. This was achieved by comparing the local radiation with the average national radiation and distributing the yield proportionally among the municipalities. The figures below show the results for 2016 and 2017. According to these data, in both years, the Zeeland region had a relatively higher yield factor (energy generated per unit capacity) while that of Northeast Groningen was lower.

Map of the NetherlandsSolar power per day and per region 2016

Map of the Netherlands Solar power per day and per region 2017

Using the same method, it is possible to estimate the solar energy yield per day and per region. These yields are displayed in two different visualisations, the first for all the days of 2016 and the second for one day of each week in that year. This method also shows that yields vary greatly from day to day and, on some days, also from region to region.
These two visualisations are available here.

Privacy

The radiation data do not contain any details that could be traced back to individuals or companies. The measurements from PVOutput are linked to the radiation data at the grid level to derive a probability function by time and by region. The data from PV systems are only published at an aggregated level and cannot be traced back to individual installations.

Feedback

This method can be further developed and applied to other, similar data. That is why Statistics Netherlands would like to know your opinion. Do you have any suggestions? Let us know using the form below.