The Barbican in London, United Kingdom, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this urban area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer proves to be the most productive season for solar energy at the Barbican, England, with an average daily output of 5.13 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.36 kWh/day. These seasons provide the best opportunities for maximizing solar energy production. Autumn sees a considerable drop in solar output, with 2.31 kWh/day. Winter presents the greatest challenge, producing only 1.07 kWh/day on average. This stark contrast highlights the impact of shorter days and less direct sunlight during the colder months.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production at the Barbican, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 44 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the location's latitude and seasonal sun paths.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors may impact solar energy production at the Barbican: 1. Urban shading: The dense urban environment of the Barbican, England, with its high-rise buildings, can cast shadows on solar panels, reducing their efficiency. Careful site assessment and panel placement are crucial to minimize this effect. 2. Air pollution: London's air quality issues may lead to particulate matter accumulation on solar panels, potentially decreasing their performance. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help mitigate this problem. 3. Cloudy weather: The UK's reputation for overcast skies holds true in London, potentially limiting solar output. Using high-efficiency panels designed for diffuse light conditions can help maximize energy production even on cloudy days. To address these challenges, consider implementing micro-inverters or power optimizers, which can help maintain system efficiency even when some panels are partially shaded. Additionally, installing a monitoring system will allow for quick identification and resolution of any performance issues. While the Barbican's location presents some challenges for solar energy production, particularly during winter months, proper system design and maintenance can still yield significant benefits throughout the year.

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 Barbican

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5189, Longitude: -0.0922 (Barbican, 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 Barbican, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Barbican, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.5189, -0.0922) 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 Barbican, 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 Barbican, 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	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 Barbican, 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 Barbican, 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 Barbican, United Kingdom

The area around Barbican in central London, United Kingdom, is characterized by a dense urban landscape with relatively flat topography. The terrain is predominantly level, with only minor variations in elevation across the immediate vicinity. This part of London sits on the historic site of the Roman and medieval city, which was built on gently sloping land near the River Thames.

The Barbican itself is a large residential and arts complex built in the 1960s and 1970s, featuring high-rise towers and lower-rise buildings. The surrounding area is a mix of modern office buildings, historic structures, and residential areas. While there are some small green spaces and parks scattered throughout the neighborhood, the overall environment is highly developed and urbanized.

Given the dense urban nature of the Barbican area and central London in general, there are limited opportunities for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations in the immediate vicinity. However, some potential areas that might be more suitable for solar energy projects, albeit on a smaller scale, include:

1. Rooftops of large buildings: The flat roofs of office buildings, apartment complexes, and public structures could potentially accommodate solar panels.
2. Parking structures: Multi-story car parks or other large parking areas could be fitted with solar canopies.
3. Brownfield sites: Any unused or derelict industrial land in the broader area could be repurposed for solar installations.
4. Railway corridors: The extensive network of railway lines running through London might offer some potential for linear solar projects.

For truly large-scale solar PV projects, it would be necessary to look much further afield, towards the outskirts of London or into the surrounding countryside where there is more open space. Areas to the east and southeast of London, such as parts of Essex and Kent, generally receive more sunlight and have more available land, potentially making them more suitable for large solar farms. However, any such developments would need to carefully balance energy production goals with preservation of agricultural land and natural habitats.

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.