Solar PV Analysis of Barnsley, United Kingdom
Barnsley, England, United Kingdom, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, is a location that can generate energy through solar panels all year round. However, the amount of electricity produced varies significantly based on the season.
In summer and spring, you can expect relatively high production levels with an average of 5.09 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day and 4.27 kWh per day respectively for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This makes these seasons ideal for generating solar energy at this location.
In contrast, autumn and winter see lower production levels due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. You could expect about 2.08 kWh/day in autumn and just under 1 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar power.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year in Barnsley, England, it's recommended to tilt them at an angle of 45 degrees facing South if they're fixed installations. This optimizes their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year.
As with any location, there are certain local factors that might affect how much energy you can produce from your solar panels here:
1) Weather: Barnsley experiences a temperate maritime climate which means it often has cloudy skies which could limit sun exposure.
2) Seasonal changes: As mentioned before, seasonal variations mean less daylight hours especially during winter months.
3) Environmental obstacles: Buildings or trees may cause shading on your panels reducing their efficiency.
To overcome these challenges:
1) Install additional capacity so that even on cloudy days or during non-peak seasons you still generate enough power.
2) Regularly clean and maintain your panels to ensure they perform optimally despite environmental conditions.
3) Consider site selection carefully when installing - avoid shaded areas where possible or consider using tracking systems that follow the sun's path across the sky for maximum exposure
4) Use high-efficiency panels that can perform well even in less-than-ideal light conditions.
In conclusion, while Barnsley may not be the most ideal location for solar power generation due to its weather and seasonal changes, with proper planning and maintenance, it's still possible to generate a significant amount of energy from solar panels here.
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 911 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 Barnsley
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.5676, Longitude: -1.584 (Barnsley, 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 Barnsley, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Barnsley, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.5676, -1.584) 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 Barnsley, 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 Barnsley, 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 | 57° South in Autumn | 67° South in Winter | 46° 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 Barnsley, 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 Barnsley, 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 Barnsley, United Kingdom
Barnsley, United Kingdom is located in South Yorkshire and features a mixed topography. It has hilly landscapes, especially towards the west and north, with the Pennines mountain range nearby. However, towards the east it becomes flatter which is more typical of the Yorkshire landscape.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are most suitable as they allow for easier installation and better sunlight exposure. Therefore, areas to the east of Barnsley would likely be best suited for this type of project. Additionally, it's important to consider that these locations should ideally be away from residential areas to minimize potential disturbances and should have good access to infrastructure like roads and power lines.
However, any decision on where exactly to place a large-scale solar PV system would require further detailed investigation including sun mapping studies (to understand how much sunlight an area gets throughout the year), soil analysis (to ensure it can support the weight of solar panels), environmental impact assessments etc.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 24th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
