Solar PV Analysis of Barrow Upon Soar, United Kingdom
The location at Barrow upon Soar, United Kingdom, is decent for generating energy via solar PV year-round. However, it's not ideal when compared to locations closer to the equator.
During summer and spring, this location can produce a good amount of electricity with 5.15kWh/day and 4.29kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar panels. These are the best times of year for generating solar power here because the days are longer and usually sunnier.
However, during autumn and winter the output drops significantly to 2.24kWh/day and just 1.08kWh/day respectively due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 45 degrees facing South will help maximise total year-round production from your solar PV system as it will capture maximum sunlight throughout different times in a day.
As for local factors that could impede solar production in Barrow upon Soar; cloud cover would be one significant factor since it's located in UK where cloudy weather is common which reduces the intensity of sunlight reaching your panels thereby reducing their productivity.
To mitigate against these factors you could consider installing more efficient or additional panels to compensate for those less sunny days or use battery storage systems that store excess power generated during peak hours (usually midday) which can then be used when direct sunlight isn't available like on cloudy days or during night-time.
Another preventative measure is regular maintenance such as cleaning your panels frequently so they remain efficient even under sub-optimal conditions like dust accumulation or bird droppings etc., ensuring no shading obstructs them from receiving full sun exposure especially during peak generation times (around noon), monitoring their performance regularly so any issues can be identified early on before they escalate into bigger problems affecting overall system performance etc.
In summary while Barrow upon Soar may not provide optimal conditions year-round for solar power generation, with the right setup and maintenance it can still be a viable option.
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 754 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 Barrow Upon Soar
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.755, Longitude: -1.1491 (Barrow Upon Soar, 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 Barrow Upon Soar, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Barrow Upon Soar, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.755, -1.1491) 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 Barrow Upon Soar, 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 Barrow Upon Soar, 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 Barrow Upon Soar, 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 Barrow Upon Soar, 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 Barrow Upon Soar, United Kingdom
Barrow upon Soar is located in the East Midlands region of England, within the county of Leicestershire. The topography in and around this area is generally flat or gently rolling, with some areas of low-lying land. It's part of the Soar Valley which is characterized by fertile arable lands and pastures.
For large-scale solar PV installations, you would ideally want a location that has a lot of sunlight exposure throughout the year, minimal shading from trees or buildings, and relatively flat ground to allow for easy installation and maintenance. Given these criteria, agricultural fields surrounding Barrow upon Soar could potentially be suitable for such an installation.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would need to take into account various factors beyond just topography including local planning regulations, potential impacts on wildlife or agriculture, grid connectivity issues and community acceptance among others.
Furthermore, as Barrow upon Soar is located in United Kingdom where sunlight intensity can vary greatly depending on season it might not be as efficient as locations closer to equator but advancements in technology have made it possible to generate significant amounts of energy even under less than ideal conditions.
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: Tuesday 25th of June 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.
