Solar PV Analysis of Kingscourt, Ireland
The location at Kingscourt, Ulster, Ireland, is moderately suitable for generating solar energy year-round. The amount of electricity generated from solar panels varies by season due to changes in sunlight intensity and duration. During the summer, you can expect to generate about 5.21 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power capacity. In autumn, this drops to around 2.07 kWh/day per kW, and further decreases during winter to only about 0.96 kWh/day per kW due mainly to shorter daylight hours and lower sun angles. However, in spring the output increases again up to approximately 4.34 kWh/day per kW.
Therefore, if you're planning on installing a fixed-panel solar system at this location, it would be most effective during summer and spring when sunlight availability is higher compared with other seasons.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system at this location in Kingscourt Ireland which is located in the Northern Temperate Zone - you should ideally tilt your panels towards South at an angle of around 46 degrees.
However there could be local factors that might affect your solar production significantly such as cloudy or rainy weather conditions which are quite common in Ireland throughout the year; these conditions reduce sunlight exposure thereby affecting overall energy generation capability of your PV system.
In order to ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) You may consider installing more efficient types of PV modules that perform better under low-light conditions.
2) Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help keep dust or debris off your panels ensuring they capture as much available light as possible.
3) Another option could be using tracking systems that automatically adjust panel orientation throughout the day following sun's path maximizing exposure but they come with added costs.
4) Lastly considering battery storage solutions might also help store excess power produced on sunny days for use during less sunny or rainy days.
Remember, these are just suggestions and the best approach would depend on specific local conditions and budget constraints.
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 Kingscourt
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.9071, Longitude: -6.8012 (Kingscourt, 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 46° South in Kingscourt, Ireland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kingscourt, Ireland (Lat/Long 53.9071, -6.8012) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 46° 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 Kingscourt, 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 Kingscourt, Ireland. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 46° 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 | 46° 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 Kingscourt, 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 Kingscourt, 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 Kingscourt, Ireland
Kingscourt is located in the northeastern part of Ireland, within County Cavan. The topography of this region is generally flat to gently rolling hills with areas of peat bog and forest. There are also some small streams and rivers flowing through the area.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be flat, open fields that receive a lot of sunlight throughout the year. These could include agricultural lands or unused industrial sites that are not shaded by trees or buildings. It's important to note that while Ireland does not have as much sunlight as other countries, it still receives enough to make solar power a viable option.
However, any largescale development would need to consider potential impacts on local ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as visual impacts on the landscape. Therefore, comprehensive site assessments including ecological surveys would be necessary before proceeding with such projects.
It's also worth noting that planning permission from local authorities will be required for any largescale solar developments in Ireland.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 14th of April 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.
