Solar PV Analysis of Ashton-under-Lyne, United Kingdom
The location at Ashton-under-Lyne, England, United Kingdom, is decent but not perfect for generating energy through solar panels. The amount of electricity that can be generated varies throughout the year. In summer and spring, the panels can generate a good amount of electricity - 5.31 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and 4.39 kilowatt-hours per day in spring for every kilowatt of solar installed. However, in autumn and winter, the output drops significantly to 1.94 and 0.90 kilowatt-hours per day respectively.
This means that while it's possible to get a good amount of energy from solar panels during the sunnier parts of the year (spring and summer), you'd have less power during autumn and winter when there's less sunlight.
To get as much power as possible from your solar panels all year round at this location, you should tilt them towards the south at an angle of about 45 degrees.
As for local factors that could affect how much energy your solar panels produce: Ashton-under-Lyne is known to have quite a bit of cloud cover which could reduce how much sunlight hits your panels especially during autumn and winter months when days are shorter too; also some parts may have buildings or trees blocking direct sunlight reaching your panel installation site which could further reduce their efficiency.
However, there are steps you can take to overcome these challenges:
1) You might want to consider installing more than one set of panels so they catch sunlight at different times or directions.
2) If trees are causing shade on your panel site then pruning or trimming them might help.
3) You may also want to consider using advanced types of solar cells like bifacial ones which can absorb light from both sides thus maximizing their efficiency even under cloudy conditions.
4) Regular cleaning & maintenance would ensure dust or snow doesn't block sunlight reaching your panel surface.
In summary, while Ashton-under-Lyne may not be the most ideal location for solar power due to its weather and topography, it's still possible to generate a decent amount of power, especially if you take steps to maximize your panels' efficiency.
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 Ashton-under-Lyne
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.4957, Longitude: -2.088 (Ashton-under-Lyne, 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 Ashton-under-Lyne, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ashton-under-Lyne, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.4957, -2.088) 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 Ashton-under-Lyne, 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 Ashton-under-Lyne, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37° South in Summer | 56° South in Autumn | 67° 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 Ashton-under-Lyne, 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 Ashton-under-Lyne, 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 Ashton-under-Lyne, United Kingdom
Ashton-under-Lyne is located in the Greater Manchester area of England, United Kingdom. The topography around Ashton-under-Lyne is generally flat to gently rolling, with some hilly areas nearby. The town itself is in the valley of the River Tame and Hartshead Pike to the north-east offers views across much of Greater Manchester.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping land facing south would be ideal as it would maximize exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Given this criteria, open lands in and around Ashton-under-Lyne could potentially be suitable for such installations.
However, it's important to note that other factors should also be considered when determining suitability for solar PV installations. These include local climate conditions (including average hours of sunlight and cloud cover), legal restrictions or protections on land use (such as green belt regulations), proximity to residential areas or protected wildlife habitats, and access to power grid connections.
A detailed feasibility study incorporating these factors would need to be conducted by a professional renewable energy consultant or company before definitive locations could be identified.
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: Saturday 16th of March 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
