Barton upon Humber, located in the United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Temperate Zone location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of solar installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Barton upon Humber, with an average daily output of 5.03 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.20 kWh per day. These seasons offer the best conditions for solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies. However, the picture changes dramatically during the autumn and winter months. Autumn sees a significant drop in production to 2.02 kWh per day, while winter experiences the lowest output at just 0.92 kWh per day. This substantial decrease is due to shorter daylight hours, lower sun angles, and typically cloudier weather conditions.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Barton upon Humber, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 45 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to provide the best overall performance across all seasons, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar energy production in this location: 1. Cloud cover: The UK, including Barton upon Humber, is known for its cloudy weather, particularly in autumn and winter. This can significantly reduce solar output. 2. Rain and humidity: Frequent rainfall and high humidity levels can affect panel efficiency and may require more frequent cleaning. 3. Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, severely limiting solar production. To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

Preventative Measures

1. Use high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions to improve performance during cloudy periods. 2. Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dirt and grime that can accumulate due to rain and humidity. 3. Consider incorporating energy storage solutions to balance out the seasonal variations in production. 4. Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance. While Barton upon Humber may not be ideal for year-round solar energy production, proper system design and maintenance can still make solar PV a viable option for supplementing energy needs, particularly during the more 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 Barton Upon Humber

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.6794, Longitude: -0.4399 (Barton Upon Humber, 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 Barton Upon Humber, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Barton Upon Humber, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.6794, -0.4399) 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 Barton Upon Humber, 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 Barton Upon Humber, 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	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 Barton Upon Humber, 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 Barton Upon Humber, 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 Barton Upon Humber, United Kingdom

The topography around Barton upon Humber, located in North Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, is characterized by relatively flat, low-lying terrain. This area is part of the Humber Plain, which is a broad expanse of gently undulating land that surrounds the Humber Estuary. The landscape is predominantly composed of agricultural fields, interspersed with small woodlands and scattered settlements. To the north of Barton upon Humber, the land gradually rises towards the Lincolnshire Wolds, a range of low hills that form a distinctive feature in the otherwise flat landscape. However, the immediate vicinity of Barton upon Humber remains predominantly level, with elevations typically ranging from just a few meters above sea level to around 20-30 meters at its highest points. The River Humber, a large tidal estuary, forms the northern boundary of the area. This waterway has played a significant role in shaping the local topography, with its tidal influences creating expansive mudflats and salt marshes along its shores. These low-lying areas are subject to periodic flooding and have historically been protected by a system of drainage channels and sea defenses.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would typically be: 1. Large, open agricultural fields to the south and east of Barton upon Humber. These areas benefit from relatively flat terrain and minimal shading from natural features or buildings. The expansive nature of these fields would allow for efficient deployment of solar panels over a significant area. 2. Former industrial or brownfield sites in the vicinity. These locations, if available, could be repurposed for solar energy production without impacting prime agricultural land. Such sites might be found along the outskirts of Barton upon Humber or in nearby industrial areas. 3. Areas slightly elevated above the flood plain, particularly to the south and southeast. While much of the region is low-lying, selecting sites with a slight elevation can help mitigate flood risks and ensure the longevity of the solar installation. It's important to note that while the flat terrain around Barton upon Humber is generally favorable for solar PV, any large-scale installation would need to consider factors such as grid connection availability, local planning regulations, and environmental impact assessments. Additionally, the proximity to the Humber Estuary means that potential sites would need to be carefully evaluated for long-term viability in the face of potential sea-level rise and increased flood risks associated with climate change.

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.