Harnessing solar energy in the Arctic. Energy potential and economic feasibility
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
L2 Martti Ahtisaari Auditorium
Topic of the dissertation
Harnessing solar energy in the Arctic. Energy potential and economic feasibility
Doctoral candidate
Master of Science (Technology) Vinay Shekar
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Technology, Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering
Subject of study
Solar photovoltaics
Opponent
Professor Gabriele Lobaccaro, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Custos
Professor Eva Pongrácz, University of Oulu
Harnessing solar energy in the Arctic
Solar energy in the Arctic faces unique challenges, including long dark winters, snow accumulation on panels, and low sun angles. This thesis investigates how solar energy generation can be optimised in high latitudes such as Northern Finland.
The thesis presents evidence from 2 years of measurements from solar panel installations at the Universities of Oulu, in Northern Finland. Energy generation was recorded every 15 minutes from 40 panels, covering varying tilts and orientations, and analyzed for monthly, seasonal and annual variations, snow impacts, and economic benefits.
Optimising on the yearly level
The empirical research revealed some key patterns. Spring and summer generate 95% of the annual electricity output, while autumn and winter contribute merely 5%. The most productive tilt angle is 28 degrees, which is considerably lower than the recommended 46 degrees. It is because this angle captures best the solar irradiation during the sunniest months.
On the other hand, wall-mounted panels outperforming rooftop panels especially during February-March by 30-98% respectively, due to minimal snow accumulation, and by capturing both the low-angle sunlight and the sunlight reflection from snow. However, the recommendation remains on maximising total yearly generation, so 28°-tilted panels that generate 20-30% more than vertical panel.
Balancing solar energy generation and economic value
Regarding orientations, not surprisingly south and southeast facing panels generated the most electricity throughout the year. However, they are different in terms of economic value of southeast vs south orientations. Since southeast-facing panels generate electricity during hours when electricity prices are higher, the value of electricity generated by southeast facing panels is higher, when compared to south-facing panels. This highlights the importance of matching panel orientation to household consumption and electricity pricing. For example households with higher evening consumption may benefit more from southwest-facing panels, despite lower yearly gain.
The power of collaboration
The work also evaluated the viability of solar-powered Energy Communities, with three villages in Lapland; Sinettä, Vanttauskoski and Vikajärvi as test cases. Only about half of the existing buildings have optimal orientations supporting the economic effectiveness of solar energy generation. Instead of all houses investing in solar panels on their own roofs, the recommendation is investing only on the most optimally oriented roofs and sharing the generated solar electricity as an Energy Community. This would reduce the payback time with 2–3 years. These Solar Energy Communities could save from their yearly electricity cost 4.5%, with the total savings from all the villages amounting to close to half a million euros over the system lifetime. Finally, the work recommends that optimal orientation of buildings for solar energy generation is considered in future municipal planning, to support the cost effectiveness of solar panel investments.
The thesis presents evidence from 2 years of measurements from solar panel installations at the Universities of Oulu, in Northern Finland. Energy generation was recorded every 15 minutes from 40 panels, covering varying tilts and orientations, and analyzed for monthly, seasonal and annual variations, snow impacts, and economic benefits.
Optimising on the yearly level
The empirical research revealed some key patterns. Spring and summer generate 95% of the annual electricity output, while autumn and winter contribute merely 5%. The most productive tilt angle is 28 degrees, which is considerably lower than the recommended 46 degrees. It is because this angle captures best the solar irradiation during the sunniest months.
On the other hand, wall-mounted panels outperforming rooftop panels especially during February-March by 30-98% respectively, due to minimal snow accumulation, and by capturing both the low-angle sunlight and the sunlight reflection from snow. However, the recommendation remains on maximising total yearly generation, so 28°-tilted panels that generate 20-30% more than vertical panel.
Balancing solar energy generation and economic value
Regarding orientations, not surprisingly south and southeast facing panels generated the most electricity throughout the year. However, they are different in terms of economic value of southeast vs south orientations. Since southeast-facing panels generate electricity during hours when electricity prices are higher, the value of electricity generated by southeast facing panels is higher, when compared to south-facing panels. This highlights the importance of matching panel orientation to household consumption and electricity pricing. For example households with higher evening consumption may benefit more from southwest-facing panels, despite lower yearly gain.
The power of collaboration
The work also evaluated the viability of solar-powered Energy Communities, with three villages in Lapland; Sinettä, Vanttauskoski and Vikajärvi as test cases. Only about half of the existing buildings have optimal orientations supporting the economic effectiveness of solar energy generation. Instead of all houses investing in solar panels on their own roofs, the recommendation is investing only on the most optimally oriented roofs and sharing the generated solar electricity as an Energy Community. This would reduce the payback time with 2–3 years. These Solar Energy Communities could save from their yearly electricity cost 4.5%, with the total savings from all the villages amounting to close to half a million euros over the system lifetime. Finally, the work recommends that optimal orientation of buildings for solar energy generation is considered in future municipal planning, to support the cost effectiveness of solar panel investments.
Created 3.12.2025 | Updated 3.12.2025