Clane, Leinster, Ireland presents a moderately challenging location for year-round solar PV energy generation, with significant seasonal variations in electricity output that reflect the typical patterns of the Northern Temperate Zone.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production at Clane varies dramatically throughout the year. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 5.15 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it an excellent period for solar generation. Spring also provides good output at 4.26 kWh per day per kW, offering substantial energy production during this season. However, the location faces considerable challenges during the darker months. Autumn production drops significantly to 2.00 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most difficult conditions with only 0.92 kWh per day per kW of output. This represents more than a five-fold difference between the best and worst performing seasons.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For a fixed panel installation at this location, the ideal angle to tilt panels to maximise total year-round production from solar PV is 45 degrees South. This angle has been calculated to optimise performance across all seasons by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting the angles based on solar irradiance data.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors at Clane can significantly impact solar energy generation:

• Ireland's maritime climate brings frequent cloud cover and overcast conditions, particularly during autumn and winter months
• High humidity levels can lead to moisture buildup on panels, reducing their efficiency
• Salt air from the nearby Atlantic Ocean may cause corrosion issues over time
• Strong winds and storms, especially during winter, can damage installations or deposit debris on panels
• Frequent rainfall, while helpful for cleaning panels, often coincides with reduced sunlight

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

Several installation strategies can help maximise solar energy production despite these challenges:

• Install panels with anti-reflective coatings and hydrophobic surfaces to minimise moisture impact and improve self-cleaning
• Use corrosion-resistant mounting systems and marine-grade components to withstand salt air exposure
• Ensure robust structural support to handle high wind loads and storm conditions
• Position panels to allow natural rainfall to clean surfaces effectively while avoiding areas where debris commonly accumulates
• Consider micro-inverters or power optimisers to minimise the impact of partial shading from passing clouds
• Schedule regular maintenance during the more productive spring and summer months to ensure optimal performance

While Clane's location presents real challenges for consistent year-round solar generation, proper installation techniques and equipment selection can help maximise the available solar resource, particularly during the more productive spring and summer seasons.

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 104 locations across Ireland. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Ireland by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Clane

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.2936, Longitude: -6.6947 (Clane, Ireland), 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 Clane, Ireland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Clane, Ireland (Lat/Long 53.2936, -6.6947) 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 Clane, Ireland

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 Clane, Ireland. 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	57° South in Autumn	67° South in Winter	45° 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 Clane, Ireland

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 Clane, Ireland.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Clane, Ireland

Topography Around Clane

Clane sits in the eastern part of County Kildare, positioned on relatively flat terrain that forms part of the Central Plain of Ireland. The town is located at an elevation of approximately 70 meters above sea level, nestled in gently rolling countryside that characterizes much of the Irish midlands. The landscape around Clane consists primarily of fertile agricultural land with gradual undulations rather than steep hills or dramatic elevation changes.

The River Liffey flows roughly 3 kilometers to the south of Clane, creating a shallow valley system that influences the local topography. This river valley contributes to the generally level nature of the surrounding terrain, with the land sloping very gently toward the waterway. To the north and west of Clane, the ground rises slightly but remains predominantly flat, forming part of the extensive limestone plain that dominates central Ireland.

The area features a patchwork of fields divided by hedgerows and stone walls, typical of Irish pastoral landscapes. Small hills and ridges occasionally break the horizon, but these are generally low-lying features that rise no more than 50-100 meters above the surrounding countryside. The Wicklow Mountains are visible to the southeast on clear days, but they lie well beyond the immediate vicinity and do not significantly influence the local topography around Clane.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The flat to gently rolling terrain surrounding Clane presents several advantages for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The most suitable areas would be the open agricultural fields that extend northward and westward from the town center. These locations offer expansive tracts of relatively level ground with minimal topographical obstacles that could create shading issues for solar panels.

The elevated plateau areas to the northwest of Clane would be particularly well-suited for solar development. These slightly higher elevations provide good drainage while maintaining the flat characteristics necessary for efficient panel installation. The gentle slopes in these areas face predominantly south-facing aspects, which would optimize solar exposure throughout the day.

Areas closer to the Liffey valley, while flatter, may present challenges due to potential flooding risks and softer ground conditions. The higher, well-drained fields further from the river system would offer more stable foundations for large solar installations. Additionally, the open nature of the agricultural landscape in this region means fewer obstructions from trees or buildings that could cast shadows on solar arrays.

The proximity to existing electrical infrastructure along the major roads connecting Clane to Dublin and other regional centers would also make these northern and western areas more practical for grid connection. The combination of suitable topography, good drainage, and infrastructure access makes the elevated agricultural lands surrounding Clane particularly attractive for utility-scale solar development.

Ireland solar PV Stats as a country

Ireland ranks 83rd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 136 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Ireland is generating 27 Watts from solar PV per capita (Ireland ranks 61st in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Ireland?

Yes, there are a number of incentives available for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Ireland. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers grants and other financial support for businesses that wish to install solar PV systems. Additionally, the government has introduced a Feed-in Tariff scheme which pays businesses for any excess electricity they generate from their solar panels. Finally, businesses may be eligible for tax relief on the cost of installing a solar system through the Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Ireland? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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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.