Solar Energy Potential in Stillorgan, Leinster, Ireland

Stillorgan, Leinster, located in County Dublin, Ireland, presents a moderate location for solar PV energy generation with significant seasonal variations. This location sits in the Northern Temperate Zone, experiencing distinct seasonal changes in solar production potential throughout the year. The solar energy output in Stillorgan follows a predictable seasonal pattern. During summer months, production reaches its peak at 5.15kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 4.27kWh/day. Production decreases considerably in autumn to 2.01kWh/day, while winter shows the lowest output at just 0.92kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Seasonal Variations and Ideal Generation Periods

The substantial difference between summer and winter production (over 5 times more energy in summer) highlights Stillorgan's position at a relatively high northern latitude. The most productive period spans from April through September, with May, June, and July offering the highest energy yields. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher solar elevation angles significantly boost generation potential. For homeowners and businesses in Stillorgan considering solar installations, it's worth noting that approximately 70% of annual production will occur during the spring and summer months. The remaining 30% is split between autumn and winter, with December typically being the least productive month of the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Stillorgan, Leinster, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 45 degrees facing south. This angle represents the best compromise between capturing low-angle winter sun and the higher summer sun path. The relatively steep angle (compared to locations closer to the equator) helps optimize the limited winter sunlight while still performing well during summer months.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors can impact solar production in Stillorgan:

• Cloud cover and rainfall: Ireland's maritime climate means Stillorgan experiences significant cloud cover throughout the year, with an average of 150-170 rainy days annually, reducing solar irradiance.
• Fog and mist: Morning fog, particularly in autumn and winter, can delay peak production hours.
• Short winter days: At this latitude, December days have less than 8 hours of daylight, severely limiting winter production.

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Stillorgan should incorporate:

• High-efficiency panels that perform better in diffuse light conditions typical of cloudy days
• Regular cleaning schedules to remove dirt and debris, especially after stormy periods
• Snow-shedding designs with the 45-degree tilt helping to naturally clear any occasional snow
• Microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading from clouds

While Stillorgan isn't ideal for year-round solar production compared to sunnier regions, modern solar technology can still provide meaningful energy generation, particularly when designed to maximize production during the productive spring and summer months.

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 Stillorgan

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.28, Longitude: -6.2088 (Stillorgan, 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 Stillorgan, Ireland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Stillorgan, Ireland (Lat/Long 53.28, -6.2088) 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 Stillorgan, 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 Stillorgan, 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 Stillorgan, 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 Stillorgan, 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 Stillorgan, Ireland

Stillorgan is located on the southern side of Dublin, Ireland, with coordinates 53.28° North and 6.2088° West. The topography of this area is characterized by gentle undulating terrain that gradually rises from the coastal plains of Dublin Bay toward the foothills of the Dublin Mountains to the south. The immediate area around Stillorgan sits at approximately 50-70 meters above sea level, forming part of a shallow basin that slopes gently northward toward Dublin Bay. The land features subtle variations in elevation, with small hills and shallow valleys creating a moderately rolling landscape rather than dramatic relief. This terrain was largely shaped by glacial processes during the last ice age, resulting in the deposition of till and other glacial materials that form the foundation of the local topography.

Surrounding Topographical Features

To the north of Stillorgan, the land gradually descends toward the flat coastal plain of Dublin Bay, approximately 5-6 kilometers away. The eastern side features similar gently sloping terrain toward the coast at Dún Laoghaire and Sandycove. To the west, the land maintains its undulating character through neighboring areas like Dundrum and Churchtown, with subtle rises and dips throughout the landscape. The most significant topographical feature lies to the south, where the terrain begins to rise more noticeably toward the Dublin Mountains. The foothills begin approximately 5-7 kilometers south of Stillorgan, eventually climbing to heights of over 500 meters in the mountains proper. Several small watercourses cross the area, including the Slang River and tributaries of the Dodder River, which have carved shallow valleys into the landscape over time. These waterways generally flow northward toward Dublin Bay, following the natural gradient of the land.

Solar PV Potential in the Region

When considering areas near Stillorgan suitable for large-scale solar PV development, several factors must be evaluated, including topography, land availability, existing land use, and solar irradiance. The relatively flat or gently sloping agricultural lands to the southwest and west of Stillorgan, extending toward Sandyford and Leopardstown, present the most promising areas for solar PV development. These areas benefit from: 1. Moderate elevation with minimal shadowing from the Dublin Mountains 2. Relatively open terrain with fewer urban developments 3. Existing agricultural land that could potentially be repurposed 4. Good access to existing electrical infrastructure due to proximity to urban areas The areas directly south toward Kilternan and the Dublin Mountain foothills also offer suitable topography, with south-facing slopes that could maximize solar exposure. However, these areas may face more planning restrictions due to their scenic value and proximity to protected landscapes. The lands to the west toward Dundrum and beyond to the M50 corridor contain some suitable sites, particularly where current land use is low-intensity agriculture or brownfield sites. These areas benefit from relatively flat terrain and good infrastructure connections. Any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider the predominantly urban and suburban nature of the immediate Stillorgan area, focusing instead on the less densely developed lands within a 5-10 kilometer radius, particularly to the west and southwest where larger contiguous parcels of suitable land might be available.

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

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