Solar PV Analysis of Stanley, Falkland Islands
The location at Stanley, Falkland Islands is not ideal for generating energy via solar PV year-round. This is because the amount of electricity that can be produced varies significantly across different seasons. The most productive time to generate solar energy in this location is during the summer, when you can expect about 6.63kWh per day for each kW of installed solar power. Spring also offers a decent output with around 4.79kWh/day per kW of installed solar.
On the other hand, autumn and winter see a significant drop in productivity with only 2.34kWh/day and 1.13kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar power produced during these seasons.
When installing fixed panel installations at this location, it's best to tilt panels at an angle of 43 degrees facing North to maximize total year-round production from the photovoltaic system.
As far as environmental or weather factors are concerned that could hinder solar production at this location, they could include frequent cloud cover or fog which would limit sunlight exposure on the panels; strong winds might also potentially cause physical damage to the installation.
To mitigate these potential issues and ensure greater energy production:
- For cloudy or foggy conditions: Using high-quality PV modules with good low-light performance can help.
- For windy conditions: Ensuring proper anchoring and using wind-resistant designs for mounting systems would be beneficial.
Remember though that while these measures can improve efficiency, they cannot completely overcome limitations due to seasonal variations in sunlight availability inherent to this location's latitude and climate characteristics.
Note: The Southern Temperate Zone extends from -35° latitude South down to -66.5° latitude.
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Stanley
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -51.7031, Longitude: -57.8528 (Stanley, Falkland Islands), 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 43° North in Stanley, Falkland Islands
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Stanley, Falkland Islands (Lat/Long -51.7031, -57.8528) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° North 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 Stanley, Falkland Islands
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 Stanley, Falkland Islands. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35° North in Summer | 55° North in Autumn | 65° North in Winter | 43° North 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 Stanley, Falkland Islands
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 Stanley, Falkland Islands.
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 Stanley, Falkland Islands
Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, is located on a slope leading down to Stanley Harbour. The topography around Stanley is generally hilly with some flat areas. The region features rugged terrain and rocky outcrops with sparse vegetation due to its subpolar oceanic climate.
However, for large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are ideal as they can accommodate more panels and make installation easier. Therefore, the relatively flatter regions around Stanley would be most suited for this purpose.
The climate in Falklands is relatively cold and windy but it does receive a reasonable amount of sunlight throughout the year which makes it suitable for solar power generation. However, feasibility studies would need to be conducted considering various factors such as availability of land, sun exposure levels (solar irradiance), local weather conditions (like frequency of foggy days), potential impacts on local wildlife and ecosystem etc., before deciding on specific sites for large-scale solar PV installations.
Also worth noting that wind energy might be another viable renewable energy option considering the windy nature of this region.
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 11th 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.
