Solar PV Analysis of Swords, Ireland
The location in Swords, Leinster, Ireland is moderately suitable for generating solar energy throughout the year. The best time to generate solar power at this location is during the summer and spring seasons when sunlight hours are longer and more intense. During these periods, you can expect an average of 5.21 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 4.34 kWh/day in spring from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels.
However, the effectiveness drops significantly during autumn and winter due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight; producing an average of only 2.07 kWh/day in autumn and a mere 0.96 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system at this location, it's ideal to tilt your panels at a 45-degree angle facing South.
There might be some local factors that could hinder effective production of solar power in Swords, Leinster, Ireland though they aren't specified here but may include regular cloud cover or frequent rainfall common to Ireland's climate which can limit the amount of direct sunlight reaching the panels.
Preventative measures that can be taken when installing your PV system might include selecting high-quality panels designed for efficiency even under less-than-ideal conditions such as partial shading or low light conditions; ensuring regular maintenance like cleaning off any dirt or debris that could block light absorption; using tracking mounts instead fixed ones so panels can move with the sun throughout the day for optimal exposure; installing additional capacity to compensate for lower productivity months if budget allows.
In conclusion, while there are periods where productivity will be lower due to seasonal changes, with careful planning and consideration given to local environmental factors – along with taking appropriate preventative measures – it's still possible to generate a reasonable amount of energy via a PV system year-round at this location.
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 Swords
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.458, Longitude: -6.2179 (Swords, 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 Swords, Ireland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Swords, Ireland (Lat/Long 53.458, -6.2179) 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 Swords, 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 Swords, 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 Swords, 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 Swords, 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 Swords, Ireland
Swords, Ireland is located in the eastern part of the country, near Dublin. The topography around Swords is generally flat to gently rolling, with low hills and plains. It's close to the coast which means it might be exposed to sea breezes.
In terms of solar PV potential, areas with a lot of sun exposure and minimal shading would be most suitable. Given that Swords has a relatively flat landscape, many areas could potentially be suited for large-scale solar PV installations as long as they are not heavily shaded by buildings or trees.
However, it should also be noted that Ireland in general does not have the highest levels of sunlight compared to other parts of Europe due to its northern latitude and often cloudy weather. Therefore while solar power is possible and can contribute towards renewable energy goals, it may not always provide consistent electricity generation throughout the year.
The specific suitability for large scale Solar PV installations would depend on detailed local site assessments including factors such as land use restrictions (e.g., protected natural areas or agricultural lands), proximity to power grids for transmission purposes etc.
Also given that Swords is quite urbanized being a suburb of Dublin city there might not be extensive open spaces available within town limits but nearby rural areas could potentially host such installations subject again to various considerations mentioned above.
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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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 20th of June 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.
