Solar PV Analysis of Virginia, Ireland
The location in Virginia, Ulster, Ireland is somewhat suitable for generating energy via solar PV year-round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt of installed solar varies significantly across the seasons. In summer, you can expect about 5.21 kWh/day per kW of installed solar, which is quite decent. Spring also offers a good output at around 4.34 kWh/day per kW.
However, the output drops considerably during autumn and winter to about 2.07kWh/day and 0.96kWh/day respectively per kW due to less sunlight hours and lower sun intensity typical of these seasons in this part of the world.
Therefore, if you're considering installing a solar system in Virginia, Ulster, Ireland it would generate most power during spring and summer months when daylight hours are longest and sun's rays are most intense.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system at this location, tilt your panels at an angle of approximately 46 degrees facing South - this way they'll catch as much sunlight as possible throughout the year.
As for potential impediments to solar production in Virginia, Ulster, Ireland; weather conditions such as frequent cloud cover or rain could potentially reduce the efficiency of your panels by blocking sunlight. It's important to consider these factors when planning where exactly on your property to install panels - ideally they should be placed somewhere with minimal shade throughout the day.
Additionally local environmental factors such as bird droppings or fallen leaves could dirty your panels over time reducing their effectiveness so regular cleaning might be necessary depending on how much wildlife or trees are nearby.
Snowfall could also pose a challenge during winter months if it covers your panels blocking out light completely so again regular cleaning would be required after heavy snowfalls although given that winter output is already low this may not have too significant an impact overall on annual production levels.
Preventative measures include installing systems like automated cleaners or heaters that prevent snow accumulation but these would increase the overall cost of your installation and may not be worth it unless you live in a particularly snowy area. It's also worth noting that most solar panels are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions like hail so they should be pretty durable.
In summary, while Virginia, Ulster, Ireland is not the most ideal location for solar power generation due to its variable seasonal output and potential environmental challenges, with careful planning and maintenance you can still generate a decent amount of electricity from a solar PV system there especially during 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 Virginia
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.8362, Longitude: -7.0812 (Virginia, 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 Virginia, Ireland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Virginia, Ireland (Lat/Long 53.8362, -7.0812) 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia, Ireland
Virginia, Ireland is located in a region characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain. It's part of County Cavan, known for its numerous lakes and drumlin landscapes - small hills formed by glacial activity.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and relatively flat areas are ideal as they allow maximum exposure to sunlight with minimal obstruction. In the context of Virginia, suitable locations might include agricultural lands or other open spaces that aren't shadowed by hills or forests.
However, it’s important to note that Ireland's climate isn't the most optimal for solar power due to its high latitude and often cloudy weather. The country receives moderate levels of sunshine with an average of about 3.6 hours per day (1,300 hours annually). Despite this limitation though, solar energy can still be harnessed effectively during sunny periods.
Moreover, technological advancements have made it possible for modern photovoltaic cells to generate electricity even on overcast days although at lower efficiency rates compared to direct sunlight conditions.
To identify specific sites suited for large scale solar PV around Virginia or anywhere else in Ireland would require more detailed study including aspects such as local planning regulations, proximity to power grid connections among others factors which are beyond the scope of this response.
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: Friday 12th 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.
