Solar PV Analysis of Youghal, Ireland
The location at Youghal, Munster, Ireland is reasonably suitable for generating energy using solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. However, the effectiveness of this method varies throughout the year due to seasonal changes in sunlight.
In summer and spring, you can expect a good amount of electricity generation from your solar PV system. Specifically, for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power, you can get around 5.92 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 4.98 kWh/day in spring.
However, during autumn and winter months when days are shorter and there's less sunlight available, the output drops significantly to approximately 2.28 kWh/day in autumn and even lower to about 1.12 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar.
So if you're planning on relying heavily on solar energy at this location it would be ideal to have a backup source or storage system for use particularly during these leaner Autumn/Winter periods.
For fixed panel installations here it is recommended that they are tilted at an angle of 44 degrees facing South which has been found to maximize total year-round production from your Solar PV system.
As far as local factors affecting productivity are concerned; like any other place with changing weather conditions - cloudy days will reduce output as will any physical obstructions blocking direct sunlight onto the panels such as trees or buildings etc.. It also rains quite often in Ireland which might affect panel efficiency but modern panels are designed to withstand such conditions without significant loss of performance.
To ensure greater energy production despite these factors one could consider installing tracking systems that move the panels towards maximum light exposure throughout the day but this would add considerably to costs involved so may not be practical for all situations.
One should also make sure that there aren't any physical obstructions shading your installation site especially considering sun's path across different seasons.
Regular cleaning/maintenance checks can help maintain optimal performance levels too as dust, leaves or bird droppings can reduce the amount of light reaching the panels and thus their output.
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 Youghal
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.9512, Longitude: -7.8504 (Youghal, 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 Youghal, Ireland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Youghal, Ireland (Lat/Long 51.9512, -7.8504) 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 Youghal, 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 Youghal, 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 | 55° South in Autumn | 65° South in Winter | 43° 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 Youghal, 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 Youghal, 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 Youghal, Ireland
Youghal, Ireland is located in the south-eastern coast of the country. The topography of Youghal and its surroundings are a mix of coastal flatlands and inland rolling hills. It is also surrounded by farmland, forests, and several bodies of water including the River Blackwater to the north.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be flat or gently sloping lands with good sun exposure. In this context, some potential locations could include:
1) Flat agricultural lands: These areas can host ground-mounted solar panels without significant alterations to the landscape. However, it's important to consider any potential impact on local farming activities.
2) Coastal flatlands: These regions typically receive good sunlight and may be well-suited for solar farms provided they're not too exposed to harsh coastal weather conditions which could damage equipment.
3) Brownfield sites: If there are any unused or abandoned industrial sites in or around Youghal, these could potentially be repurposed into solar farms.
4) Rooftops: Large buildings such as warehouses or factories might have enough roof space for installing substantial numbers of solar panels.
However, before proceeding with any large-scale project like this one must take into account factors such as local planning regulations, environmental impact assessments (especially for areas close to bodies of water), grid connectivity issues etc., apart from just topographical considerations.
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 7th 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.
