Solar PV Analysis of Enniskerry, Ireland
The location at Enniskerry, Leinster, Ireland is not an ideal place for year-round solar power generation because it doesn't get a lot of sunshine throughout the year. However, it does have potential during certain times of the year.
In summer and spring, you can expect to generate more electricity from your solar panels. In summer time, each kilowatt of installed solar could produce around 5.21 kilowatt-hours per day while in spring that number is slightly lower at 4.34 kilowatt-hours per day. These seasons are therefore the best time to generate solar energy in this location due to longer daylight hours and higher sun position.
During autumn and winter though, the amount of electricity you can generate drops significantly due to shorter days and lower sun position. In autumn, you'll only get about 2.07 kilowatt-hours per day for each kW installed and in winter that falls even further to just under 1 kWh/day.
To maximize total annual production from your solar panel system at this location, you should tilt your panels towards south at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.
Now let's talk about local factors that could affect energy production here:
Ireland's weather is known for being quite cloudy which would reduce sunlight exposure on your panels thus reducing their efficiency. Rainfall can also be heavy but won't necessarily hinder power generation unless it leads to dirt or debris accumulating on the surface of your panels which would block sunlight.
One preventative measure against these issues would be regular cleaning and maintenance checks especially after heavy rainfall or storms so as to ensure maximum sunlight absorption by keeping them free from dirt or debris build-up.
Another thing worth noting is Ireland’s wind factor - strong winds might potentially damage exposed installations so secure fixing methods should be used when installing these systems in order to protect them against such conditions.
In conclusion: While Enniskerry isn’t perfect for year-round solar energy production, it can still be beneficial during certain times of the year if properly maintained and installed.
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 Enniskerry
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.1947, Longitude: -6.173 (Enniskerry, 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 Enniskerry, Ireland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Enniskerry, Ireland (Lat/Long 53.1947, -6.173) 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 Enniskerry, 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 Enniskerry, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36° 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 Enniskerry, 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 Enniskerry, Ireland.
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 Enniskerry, Ireland
Enniskerry, Ireland is located in a hilly region with the Wicklow Mountains to its south. The topography consists of rolling hills, valleys and farmland. The area is known for its natural beauty with numerous walking trails and scenic views.
When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors need to be taken into account including sunlight levels, land topography, proximity to power transmission lines and environmental considerations.
Given that Enniskerry is fairly north and experiences relatively low levels of annual sunshine compared to other global regions it might not be the most ideal location for solar PV. However, if we were looking at local areas around Enniskerry then flat farmland areas would generally be more suitable than mountainous or heavily forested areas as they would allow for easier installation and maintenance of solar panels as well as maximizing sun exposure.
Additionally, any sites chosen would ideally need to be close enough to existing power infrastructure (power lines etc.) so that generated electricity could easily be fed into the grid. Environmental impact assessments would also have to be carried out on potential sites in order not disrupt local ecosystems or wildlife habitats too much.
In conclusion while it's technically possible install large scale solar PV around Enniskerry due consideration must given towards site selection based on factors such as topography, sun exposure levels, proximity infrastructure among others.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 2nd of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
