Delvin, Leinster, Ireland, located at latitude 53.6066° North and longitude 7.0929° West in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents varying conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy production in Delvin follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer delivers the highest output at 5.15kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 4.27kWh/day. Autumn yields significantly less at 2.01kWh/day, while winter performance drops dramatically to just 0.92kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This substantial seasonal variation means that Delvin experiences excellent solar generating conditions from approximately April through August, with peak performance in June and July. The remaining months, particularly November through January, produce considerably less energy due to shorter days and the sun's lower position in the sky.

Optimal Panel Installation

For a fixed panel installation at this location, the ideal angle to tilt panels to maximize total year-round production from solar PV is 45 degrees facing South. This tilt angle represents the best compromise to capture adequate sunlight across all seasons.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several factors can impede solar production in Delvin:

• Cloud cover is significant in Ireland, with Delvin experiencing frequent overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter months
• Rainfall can temporarily reduce panel efficiency by creating dirt buildup
• Morning fog and mist, common in this region, can delay peak production until later in the day
• Potential for snow coverage during winter months, though typically not persistent

Preventative Measures

To optimize solar production despite these challenges, consider implementing these solutions:

• Install self-cleaning panels or implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris
• Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
• Consider a slight west-facing orientation (5-10° west of south) to capture more afternoon sun when morning fog has cleared
• Install panels at a steeper angle than the standard 45° during winter to help shed snow more effectively
• Implement a battery storage system to make better use of the abundant summer production

While Delvin is not ideal for year-round solar production due to its northern latitude and weather patterns, thoughtful system design can still yield an economically viable solar installation, particularly if sized to take advantage of the excellent summer and spring production periods.

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 Delvin

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.6066, Longitude: -7.0929 (Delvin, 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 Delvin, Ireland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Delvin, Ireland (Lat/Long 53.6066, -7.0929) 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 Delvin, 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 Delvin, 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 Delvin, 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 Delvin, 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 Delvin, Ireland

The topography around Delvin, in County Westmeath, Ireland, is characterized predominantly by gently rolling lowlands typical of the Irish Midlands. Situated at an elevation of approximately 100 meters above sea level, Delvin lies within a landscape that features a mix of agricultural fields, pastures, and scattered woodland areas. The terrain gradually undulates throughout the region, with modest hills and shallow valleys creating a subtle patchwork across the countryside. The area surrounding Delvin forms part of the central plain of Ireland, with relatively modest elevation changes compared to the more mountainous regions found elsewhere in the country. Small streams and minor waterways meander through the landscape, eventually feeding into larger river systems. The soil composition tends toward fertile loams overlying limestone bedrock, which has historically supported the agricultural activities that dominate land use in the region.

Surrounding Landscape Features

To the north and northeast of Delvin, the landscape maintains its gentle character as it extends toward County Cavan and Louth. The western areas transition toward the Shannon basin with similarly modest topography. Southward, the terrain continues its pattern of low hills and shallow valleys as it extends toward the central parts of County Westmeath. Small woodland copses and hedgerows divide the agricultural lands, providing natural boundaries between properties and creating the characteristic patchwork appearance of the Irish countryside. These features, while charming, can create localized shading that would need consideration in any solar installation planning.

Solar PV Suitability Assessment

For largescale solar PV development, the most suitable areas near Delvin would be the gently south-facing slopes found scattered throughout the region. These locations offer optimal orientation toward the sun's path, particularly important at this northerly latitude. The modest elevation changes in the area mean that many locations have unobstructed southern aspects without significant shadowing from nearby hills. The agricultural lands that feature minimal tree cover present the most immediate opportunities for solar development. Fields that are currently used for lower-yield farming or grazing, particularly those with poor drainage or less productive soils, would be prime candidates for conversion to solar farms while minimizing impact on high-quality agricultural production. Areas to the south and southwest of Delvin township offer particularly promising conditions, with several larger open tracts of land that combine favorable topographical orientation with proximity to existing electrical infrastructure. These locations benefit from minimal shadowing effects from natural features and generally good access via the existing road network. The relatively flat nature of much of the landscape means that construction costs for solar installations would be lower than in more challenging terrains, with minimal need for extensive earthworks or specialized mounting systems to accommodate steep slopes. It's worth noting that the scattered nature of rural settlement in the region means that largescale installations could be developed with sufficient setbacks from residential areas, helping to minimize visual impact concerns that might otherwise complicate planning processes.

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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

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.