Solar PV Analysis of Aldershot, United Kingdom
Aldershot, England, United Kingdom, located at 51.2476° N, -0.7672° W, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which affects the overall efficiency of solar installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy output in Aldershot varies considerably across the seasons. Summer is the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.13 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.36 kWh/day. However, there's a sharp decline in autumn, with only 2.31 kWh/day, and winter sees the lowest production at a mere 1.07 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Aldershot's location is far from ideal for year-round solar energy production. The substantial drop in output during autumn and winter months poses challenges for consistent energy generation.
Optimal Installation Angle
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Aldershot, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 44 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize the capture of available sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several factors can impede solar production in Aldershot:
- Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequently overcast skies, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency.
- Rainfall: Aldershot experiences considerable rainfall, which can affect panel performance if not properly managed.
- Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, limiting solar exposure.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these challenges and improve solar energy production, consider the following measures:
- Use high-efficiency solar panels designed for low-light conditions.
- Implement a robust cleaning schedule to combat the effects of rainfall and potential debris.
- Consider incorporating solar tracking systems to maximize exposure during limited daylight hours.
- Explore hybrid systems that combine solar with other renewable energy sources to ensure consistent power supply year-round.
While Aldershot's location presents challenges for solar PV energy generation, particularly during autumn and winter, proper system design and maintenance can still make solar a viable part of the local energy mix.
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 756 locations across United Kingdom. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in United Kingdom by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Aldershot
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.2476, Longitude: -0.7672 (Aldershot, United Kingdom), 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 Aldershot, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Aldershot, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.2476, -0.7672) 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 Aldershot, United Kingdom
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 Aldershot, United Kingdom. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35° South in Summer | 54° 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 Aldershot, United Kingdom
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 Aldershot, United Kingdom.
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 Aldershot, United Kingdom
The topography around Aldershot, United Kingdom, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills, shallow valleys, and some flatter areas. The town itself sits in a relatively flat basin surrounded by higher ground. To the north and east, the landscape gradually rises towards the North Downs, a ridge of chalk hills that runs through Surrey and Kent. To the south and west, the terrain becomes more undulating, with a series of low hills and valleys typical of the Hampshire countryside.
The area around Aldershot includes several open spaces and heathlands, such as Caesars Camp to the south, which offers elevated views of the surrounding landscape. The River Blackwater flows through the western part of the town, creating a shallow valley that influences the local topography.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play:
- The relatively flat areas to the west and southwest of Aldershot, extending towards Farnborough and Fleet, could be suitable for solar farms. These areas offer larger, open spaces with fewer obstructions to sunlight.
- Some of the gently sloping hillsides to the south and southeast, facing a southerly direction, could be ideal for solar panel placement. These locations would receive more direct sunlight throughout the day.
- The agricultural land between Aldershot and Farnham to the southeast might offer potential sites for solar installations, provided they don't interfere with food production or protected landscapes.
- Areas near the A31 corridor to the south, which are already somewhat developed, could potentially accommodate solar installations without significantly impacting undisturbed natural areas.
It's important to note that while these areas may be topographically suitable, other factors such as land ownership, planning regulations, grid connectivity, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the feasibility of large-scale solar PV projects. Additionally, the presence of the nearby military lands and training areas may limit the available space for such developments in certain directions around Aldershot.
United Kingdom solar PV Stats as a country
United Kingdom ranks 14th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 13,689 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 4.00% of United Kingdom's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 20th in the world). Each year United Kingdom is generating 203 Watts from solar PV per capita (United Kingdom ranks 25th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in United Kingdom?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the United Kingdom. The UK government offers a Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme which pays businesses for every unit of electricity they generate from their solar panels. Additionally, businesses may be eligible for tax reliefs such as Enhanced Capital Allowances and Renewable Heat Incentives. Finally, some local authorities offer grants or other financial support to help businesses with the cost of installing solar energy systems.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in United Kingdom? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 6th of October 2024
Last Updated: Sunday 6th of October 2024
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
