Solar Energy Generation in Wexford, Leinster, Ireland

Wexford, Leinster, Ireland, located at 52.336° N, -6.4516° E in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a moderate potential for solar energy production, with significant seasonal variations that affect year-round efficiency. The solar electricity output in Wexford follows a predictable seasonal pattern. During summer months, production reaches its peak at 5.33 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 4.35 kWh/day. Production drops considerably in autumn to 2.04 kWh/day, while winter shows the lowest output at just 0.96 kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Seasonal Variations

The substantial difference between summer and winter production (over 5 times more energy in summer) indicates that Wexford is far from ideal for consistent year-round solar generation. The six-month period from April through September represents the most productive time for solar energy in this location, with May through August being particularly favorable. For fixed solar panel installations in Wexford, Leinster, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 44 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation patterns at this latitude, weighted by the potential daily PV output based on NASA's solar irradiance data, while accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several significant environmental factors can impact solar production in Wexford:

• Cloud cover and rainfall: Ireland's Atlantic climate brings frequent cloud cover and rainfall, particularly during autumn and winter months, which further reduces the already limited solar radiation.
• Coastal fog and sea mist: Being near the coast, Wexford experiences morning fog that can delay peak solar production hours.
• Airborne salt: Proximity to the sea means salt-laden air can gradually degrade panel surfaces and electrical connections.

Preventative Measures

To optimize solar production in Wexford despite these challenges, consider these installation strategies:

• Use marine-grade components and enhanced sealing for all electrical connections to prevent salt corrosion.
• Install self-cleaning panels or implement regular cleaning schedules to remove salt deposits and other debris.
• Consider slight adjustment to the standard 44-degree tilt to favor summer production if the system is grid-connected with net metering.
• Incorporate micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading from cloud cover.
• Ensure panels have anti-reflective coatings to maximize light absorption during low-light conditions.

While Wexford does not offer ideal year-round solar conditions, proper system design with these considerations can still make solar PV a viable part of a diversified energy strategy, particularly when production is concentrated in the more favorable 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 Wexford

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.336, Longitude: -6.4516 (Wexford, 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 44° South in Wexford, Ireland

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wexford, Ireland (Lat/Long 52.336, -6.4516) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 44° 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 Wexford, 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 Wexford, Ireland. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 44° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
36° South in Summer	56° South in Autumn	66° South in Winter	44° 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 Wexford, 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 Wexford, 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 Wexford, Ireland

The town of Wexford is situated along the southeast coast of Ireland, nestled at the mouth of the River Slaney where it flows into Wexford Harbour and ultimately the Irish Sea. The topography around Wexford is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes coastal lowlands, gently rolling hills, river valleys, and some more elevated terrain as one moves inland. The immediate area surrounding Wexford town is relatively flat, with low-lying coastal plains that have historically made the region suitable for agriculture. This coastal strip features sandy beaches, small cliffs, and natural harbours. Moving slightly inland, the landscape begins to undulate with gentle hills rarely exceeding 100 meters in elevation. These rolling hills become more pronounced as one travels north and northwest of Wexford town.

Notable Topographical Features

To the north of Wexford lies the Blackstairs Mountains, with Mount Leinster being the highest peak in the vicinity at 795 meters, though this is some distance from Wexford town itself. The River Slaney valley cuts through the landscape, creating a fertile corridor that has been important for agriculture throughout history. To the west, the terrain gradually rises toward the more substantial uplands of County Wicklow. The south of County Wexford features the Hook Peninsula, which extends into the sea and is characterized by relatively flat terrain with some low cliffs along its coastline.

Potential for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar PV development, several areas around Wexford present favorable conditions based on their topographical characteristics. The gently sloping south-facing hillsides throughout the county offer ideal positioning for solar panels, as they naturally orient toward the sun's path while avoiding the shadowing effects that might occur in more mountainous regions. The coastal plains south and southeast of Wexford town present extensive flat areas that would require minimal land preparation for solar installations. These areas benefit from reduced shadowing and good exposure to sunlight throughout the day. The agricultural lands that extend inland from the coast also offer potential, particularly where the soil quality might be less premium for farming purposes. Areas to avoid would include the river valleys, particularly the Slaney valley, where morning mist and potential flooding issues could impact solar efficiency and infrastructure durability. Similarly, the more elevated and steeper terrain toward the Blackstairs Mountains would present installation challenges and potentially higher costs for infrastructure development. The relatively open landscape of central and southern Wexford County, with its mixture of flat plains and gentle south-facing slopes, provides multiple options for large-scale solar PV development. These areas combine favorable topography with good access to existing road networks and proximity to population centers that could utilize the generated electricity.

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

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.