Bedworth, England, a town in Warwickshire, United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Bedworth, England, with an average daily output of 5.15kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.29kWh/day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn (2.24kWh/day) and reaches its lowest point in winter (1.08kWh/day).

The substantial difference between summer and winter output highlights the challenges of relying solely on solar power throughout the year in this location. The long, sunny days of summer provide excellent conditions for solar generation, while the short, often overcast days of winter significantly reduce production.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Bedworth, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 45-degree angle facing south. This tilt helps optimize exposure to the sun's rays across all seasons, balancing between the high summer sun and the low winter sun.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar production in Bedworth:

1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can significantly reduce solar output.
2. Rainfall: Bedworth experiences rainfall throughout the year, which can temporarily decrease panel efficiency.
3. Air pollution: As an urban area, Bedworth may experience some air pollution, potentially affecting solar irradiance.

To mitigate these factors, consider using high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help combat the effects of rainfall and air pollution. Additionally, implementing a solar tracking system, although more expensive, could further enhance energy production by following the sun's path throughout the day.

In conclusion, while Bedworth's location is not ideal for year-round solar energy production, it still offers significant potential, especially during spring and summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a valuable contribution to the area's renewable energy mix.

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 761 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 Bedworth

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.4708, Longitude: -1.4666 (Bedworth, 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 Bedworth, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bedworth, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.4708, -1.4666) 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 Bedworth, 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 Bedworth, 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	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 Bedworth, 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 Bedworth, 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 Bedworth, United Kingdom

Bedworth, a town in Warwickshire, England, is situated in a relatively flat area with gentle undulations typical of the Midlands region. The topography around Bedworth is characterized by low-lying plains and subtle hills, with elevations generally ranging between 80 to 120 meters above sea level. The landscape is primarily composed of agricultural fields, interspersed with small woodlands and urban developments. To the east of Bedworth, the land gradually rises towards the village of Bulkington, forming a slight ridge. This area offers some of the higher elevations in the vicinity. To the west, the terrain slopes gently towards Coventry, with the land becoming slightly more undulating as it approaches the city outskirts. The River Sowe, a tributary of the River Avon, flows through the western part of Bedworth, creating a shallow valley. This feature adds some variation to the otherwise predominantly flat landscape. The river's floodplain contributes to the area's generally low-lying nature.

Potential 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 relatively flat terrain around Bedworth provides favorable conditions for solar farms, as it minimizes shading issues and simplifies construction. The agricultural lands to the north and east of Bedworth present promising opportunities for solar PV development. These areas offer expansive, open spaces with minimal obstructions, allowing for optimal sun exposure throughout the day. The gentle slopes in these regions can also be advantageous, as they can be oriented to maximize solar gain. Another potentially suitable area lies to the southeast of Bedworth, towards Wolvey. This region features large, uninterrupted stretches of farmland that could accommodate substantial solar arrays. The slightly elevated terrain in this direction may also contribute to improved solar exposure. It's important to note that while the topography around Bedworth is generally favorable for solar PV, other factors such as grid connectivity, local planning regulations, and environmental considerations would need to be taken into account when determining the most suitable locations for large-scale solar developments. Additionally, care should be taken to balance renewable energy needs with the preservation of productive agricultural land and local ecosystems.

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.