Ashbourne, England, located in the United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Temperate Zone location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of solar installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Ashbourne, England, with an average daily output of 5.03 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.20 kWh per day. These seasons offer the best conditions for solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies. However, the picture changes dramatically during autumn and winter. Autumn sees a significant drop in production, with only 2.02 kWh per day, while winter performance plummets to a mere 0.92 kWh daily. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of relying solely on solar energy in this location year-round.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Ashbourne, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 45-degree angle facing south. This tilt angle is calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and the Earth's orbit.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Ashbourne: 1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency. 2. Rain and humidity: Ashbourne experiences considerable rainfall, which can affect panel performance and require more frequent cleaning. 3. Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, severely limiting solar energy production. To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures: • Install high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions. • Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris that may accumulate due to rain and humidity. • Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance. • Consider a hybrid system that combines solar with other renewable energy sources to ensure consistent power supply throughout the year. While Ashbourne's location presents some challenges for solar PV energy generation, proper system design and maintenance can still make solar a viable part of the local energy mix, particularly during the more productive 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 761 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 Ashbourne

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.0954, Longitude: -1.8573 (Ashbourne, 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 45° South in Ashbourne, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ashbourne, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.0954, -1.8573) 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 Ashbourne, 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 Ashbourne, United Kingdom. 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
36° South in Summer	56° South in Autumn	66° 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 Ashbourne, 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 Ashbourne, United Kingdom.

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 Ashbourne, United Kingdom

Ashbourne, located in Derbyshire, England, is situated in a picturesque landscape characterized by rolling hills, gentle valleys, and lush green fields. The town itself sits in a shallow valley, with the surrounding countryside gradually rising to form a series of undulating hills and ridges. This varied topography is typical of the southern edge of the Peak District National Park, which lies just to the north of Ashbourne. To the east and south of Ashbourne, the land becomes slightly flatter, with more open farmland and scattered woodlands. The River Dove flows to the west of the town, carving a scenic valley through the landscape. This river valley, known as Dovedale, is renowned for its beautiful limestone gorge and is a popular destination for walkers and nature enthusiasts.

Solar PV Potential in the Area

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, it's important to look for relatively flat or gently sloping land with good exposure to sunlight. The areas to the east and south of Ashbourne, where the terrain becomes less hilly, offer more potential for solar farms. The agricultural lands surrounding nearby villages such as Brailsford, Shirley, and Longford could be suitable locations. These areas have more open, level fields that receive less shadowing from hills or trees. Additionally, the slightly higher ground to the southeast, near Rodsley and Hollington, might offer good solar exposure. However, it's crucial to note that the region around Ashbourne is known for its natural beauty and agricultural importance. Any large-scale solar developments would need to be carefully planned and assessed to ensure they don't negatively impact the landscape or valuable farmland. Environmental and planning considerations, including the proximity to the Peak District National Park, would play a significant role in determining suitable locations for solar PV installations.

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!

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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.