Barking, England, United Kingdom is a location with variable potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 51.532, 0.0884, this area experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar production in Barking follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer months yield the highest output at 5.08kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 4.34kWh/day. Production drops considerably in autumn to 2.22kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest generation at just 0.99kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This pattern means that approximately 70% of annual solar energy is produced during spring and summer months, making the period from April through September the ideal time for solar generation in this location.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximum year-round solar production in Barking, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 44-degree tilt facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's position in the Northern Hemisphere.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several factors can impact solar production in Barking:

• Frequent cloud cover and rainfall typical of the UK climate can significantly reduce solar irradiance reaching panels
• Winter fog and mist, common in the Thames estuary area where Barking is located, can further diminish already low winter production
• Urban pollution and particulate matter from London can create a thin film on panels, reducing efficiency
• The relatively northern latitude means shorter winter days with sun at lower angles, resulting in the notable winter production drop

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, consider implementing these solutions:

• Install self-cleaning panels or schedule regular cleaning to combat urban pollution buildup
• Use high-efficiency panels specifically designed for diffuse light conditions common in cloudy environments
• Consider a small east-west split array in addition to south-facing panels to capture more morning and evening sun
• Ensure panels are installed with adequate spacing to prevent mutual shading, especially during winter months when sun angles are lower
• Implement a quality inverter with shade tolerance features to minimize production losses on partially cloudy days

While Barking isn't ideal for year-round solar production due to its significant seasonal variation, proper system design can still yield satisfactory results, particularly during the 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 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 Barking

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.532, Longitude: 0.0884 (Barking, 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 Barking, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Barking, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.532, 0.0884) 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 Barking, 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 Barking, 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 Barking, 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 Barking, 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 Barking, United Kingdom

The topography around Barking in East London presents a predominantly flat landscape, characteristic of the Thames River basin. Situated on the north bank of the River Thames, Barking sits on what is essentially a flood plain with minimal elevation changes across the immediate area. The terrain generally ranges between 5-15 meters above sea level, with very gradual inclines moving northward from the Thames. This relatively level landscape has been shaped by centuries of human development, transforming what was once marshland into an urban environment. The River Roding (also known as Barking Creek where it meets the Thames) cuts through the area, providing one of the few natural topographical features in an otherwise flat setting.

Solar PV Potential in Surrounding Areas

The flat nature of Barking and its surroundings offers certain advantages for solar PV development, primarily due to the absence of significant shadowing from topographical features. However, the urban density presents challenges for large-scale installations. Moving eastward from Barking, the Dagenham area contains several brownfield sites and former industrial zones that present opportunities for solar development. These areas combine the advantages of the flat topography with relatively large, open spaces that are increasingly rare in Greater London. The expansive areas around the Thames Estuary to the east, particularly portions of Rainham Marshes and areas near Purfleet, offer potential for solar development. These locations benefit from both the flat terrain and reduced urban density compared to central Barking. North of Barking, sections of Hainault and the less developed portions of Redbridge borough present modest opportunities where larger open spaces exist. While still relatively flat, these areas have slightly more varied terrain but maintain good solar exposure characteristics. The most promising locations for large-scale solar PV would be the former industrial zones along the A13 corridor stretching eastward from Barking toward Tilbury. These areas combine favorable flat topography with existing infrastructure connections and land that may be suitable for repurposing to energy generation.

Topographical Considerations for Solar Development

The flat landscape around Barking means that solar installations would not require significant terrain modifications, reducing development costs. The absence of hills or valleys means that orientation for solar panels can be optimized without working around natural obstacles. Drainage considerations would be important for any large-scale development, as the low-lying nature of the area has historically made it susceptible to flooding. The proximity to the Thames means that some of the flattest areas closest to the river may require flood mitigation measures as part of any development. The urban heat island effect from London may marginally impact solar performance in the area, though this would be offset by the excellent exposure afforded by the open, flat terrain. The gradual slope northward from the Thames provides a slight southern aspect to much of the area, which is generally favorable for solar panel orientation in the Northern Hemisphere.

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.