Solar PV Analysis of Tobercurry, Ireland
The location of Tobercurry, Connacht, Ireland, is not the most ideal for generating energy through solar PV year-round due to its position in the Northern Temperate Zone. However, it can still produce a decent amount of electricity during certain seasons.
In summer and spring, you could expect a good level of energy generation with an average output of 4.61kWh/day and 4.41kWh/day per kW of installed solar respectively. These are the best times to generate solar at this location because these seasons have longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
On the other hand, autumn and winter would yield less electricity with outputs dropping significantly to 1.72kWh/day and 0.87kWh/day per kW respectively due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity.
If you're planning on installing fixed panels here, they should ideally be tilted at an angle facing 45 degrees South to maximize total year-round production from solar PV.
However, there are environmental factors that could potentially hinder solar production in Tobercurry such as frequent cloud cover or periods of heavy rainfall that are common in Ireland's climate which can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels. Additionally, snow accumulation during winter months might also affect panel efficiency if not cleared regularly.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Consider using high-efficiency panels that perform better under low light conditions.
2) Regular maintenance including cleaning off any dust or debris (like fallen leaves or bird droppings), especially after rainfalls will also help maintain panel efficiency.
3) Installing a system for automatic snow removal or manually clearing snow from your panels during winter months can prevent losses caused by snow coverage.
4) If possible consider installing trackers so your panels can follow the sun’s path across the sky increasing their exposure time thus improving overall productivity even under less than ideal weather conditions.
5) Finally shielding installations from harsh winds (if they are prevalent in the area) can prevent potential physical damage to the panels.
In conclusion, while Tobercurry may not be the most ideal location for solar PV, with appropriate measures and considerations it is still possible to generate a reasonable amount of energy from solar panels in 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 Tobercurry
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.0533, Longitude: -8.7205 (Tobercurry, 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 Tobercurry, Ireland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tobercurry, Ireland (Lat/Long 54.0533, -8.7205) 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 Tobercurry, 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 Tobercurry, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38° 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 Tobercurry, 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 Tobercurry, 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 Tobercurry, Ireland
Tobercurry, also known as Tubbercurry, is located in County Sligo, Ireland. The topography around the area is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain. The region is part of the province of Connacht which has low-lying valleys interspersed with mountains to the north and west.
The region receives an average amount of sunlight for Ireland, with more sunny days occurring between April and September. However, compared to other countries like Spain or Italy that are well-known for solar energy production, Ireland receives less sunlight due to its northern latitude and often cloudy weather.
Despite these conditions, it's still possible to use solar PV in this region. Flat areas would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations because they can accommodate large arrays of panels. Additionally, south-facing slopes could also be suitable since they would receive more direct sunlight throughout the day.
However, any decision on where exactly to place a large-scale solar PV system should take into account various factors such as local planning regulations and potential environmental impact assessments (especially if near protected natural areas), connection to grid infrastructure or need for new infrastructure development etc.
It's worth noting that while Ireland isn't ideal for solar power compared to some other countries due its lack of consistent sunshine year round; it has significant potential for wind energy generation given its coastal location and frequent winds.
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: Monday 15th of July 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.
