Solar PV Analysis of Bedford, United Kingdom
The location in Bedford, England, UK is moderately suitable for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) panels year-round. The amount of electricity produced by solar panels depends on the sunlight they receive, which varies with the seasons.
In summer, each kilowatt of installed solar can generate around 5.15 kilowatt-hours per day. This decreases to about 2.24 kilowatt-hours in autumn and drops further to roughly 1.08 kilowatt-hours during winter due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity. However, it increases again in spring with an average production of approximately 4.29 kilowatt-hours per day.
Therefore, the most ideal time for generating solar power at this location would be during summer and spring when there's more sunlight available.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of 44 degrees towards south will maximize total yearly energy production from your PV system as it aligns better with the path of the sun across the sky throughout different seasons.
However, certain local factors could potentially impede solar production here – primarily cloudy weather or fog that's typical for British climate can limit direct sunlight reaching your panels hence reducing their efficiency.
To ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Regularly clean and maintain your panels: Dust or debris on them can block light.
2) Use high-quality equipment: More efficient inverters or batteries can help store extra power generated during peak times.
3) Consider installing trackers: These allow your panels to follow sun’s path during day maximizing exposure.
4) Lastly but importantly consider adding a backup battery storage system so you have a reserve for periods when generation is low.
Keep in mind though that while these measures may improve efficiency they also add costs so should be weighed against potential benefits carefully before implementation.
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 Bedford
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.1043, Longitude: -0.5498 (Bedford, 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 Bedford, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bedford, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.1043, -0.5498) 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 Bedford, 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 Bedford, 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 | 44° 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 Bedford, 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 Bedford, 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 Bedford, United Kingdom
Bedford, United Kingdom, is located in the central part of the country and is characterized by a relatively flat topography. The area around Bedford consists mainly of low-lying plains with some small hills. The highest point in Bedfordshire is only 243 meters above sea level.
The flat terrain around Bedford would be generally suitable for large-scale solar PV installations as it provides wide expanses of land that can accommodate large arrays of solar panels. Additionally, this type of landscape also ensures maximum exposure to sunlight which is crucial for efficient energy production.
However, it's important to note that suitability for large-scale solar PV doesn't solely depend on topography but also on other factors such as local climate (amount and intensity of sunlight), soil conditions (for ground-mounted systems), proximity to power grids (for easy transmission), and local regulations regarding land use and renewable energy projects.
Areas near major roads or industrial areas might be particularly well-suited because they are likely already cleared of trees and other obstructions that could block sunlight. Also, these areas might have better access to the power grid infrastructure necessary for transmitting the electricity generated by a solar farm.
In terms of specific locations within or near Bedford that may be suitable for solar farms, an environmental impact assessment would need to be conducted taking into account all these factors mentioned above before any definitive conclusions could be drawn.
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: Wednesday 19th 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.
