Billericay, England, United Kingdom, is an okay location for generating solar energy year-round. However, the amount of electricity generated varies significantly from season to season.

In simple terms, a solar panel in Billericay can produce about 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day in summer for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This output drops to around 2.29 kWh/day in autumn and even lower to about 1.03 kWh/day during winter months when days are shorter and there's less sunlight available. In springtime, the production increases again up to approximately 4.41 kWh/day.

So if you're considering installing solar panels at this location, it's important to know that they will be most effective during the sunnier parts of the year - mainly in summer and spring.

To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle facing southwards by about 44 degrees from horizontal level.

Now let's talk about potential challenges that might affect your energy production here:

The UK experiences significant cloud cover which can limit direct sunlight reaching your panels; however modern photovoltaic cells can still generate power under these conditions albeit not as efficiently as under direct sunlight.

Winter snowfall could potentially cover your panels reducing their efficiency or even stopping them working altogether until cleared off; so regular maintenance would be required during snowy periods.

Also keep in mind that local buildings or trees could cast shadows on your installation which could reduce its efficiency too; therefore careful placement consideration is needed when installing them.

To help overcome these challenges:

- You might want to consider using high-efficiency PV modules designed specifically for low-light environments.
- Regular cleaning/maintenance will ensure snow or debris doesn't block light reaching your panels.
- If possible try placing them where obstructions won't cast shadows over them particularly between the peak sunlight hours of 9am to 3pm.

So while Billericay isn't the most ideal location for solar energy production due to its seasonal and weather variations, with careful planning and maintenance, it's still possible to generate a reasonable amount of electricity year-round.

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 Billericay

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.607, Longitude: 0.4036 (Billericay, 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:

Average 5.13kWh/day in Summer.

Average 2.29kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 1.03kWh/day in Winter.

Average 4.41kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 44° South in Billericay, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Billericay, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.607, 0.4036) 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.

At Latitude: 51.607, Longitude: 0.4036, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 44° South

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Billericay, 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 Billericay, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 44° South tilt angle throughout the year.

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 Billericay, 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 Billericay, 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 Billericay, United Kingdom

Billericay is located in the county of Essex, United Kingdom. The topography is generally flat with some rolling hills. It is part of the London Basin, which means it has fertile soil and a temperate maritime climate.

For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are ideal for maximum exposure to sunlight and ease of installation. In this regard, there are several suitable areas around Billericay:

1. Agricultural lands: There are vast agricultural lands around Billericay that could be used for dual-purpose farming (agri-voltaics), where crops and solar panels coexist.

2. Brownfield sites: These previously developed lands can be repurposed for renewable energy production without impacting natural habitats or prime farmland.

3. Industrial rooftops: Large industrial buildings in nearby Basildon or Chelmsford have expansive rooftop spaces that could accommodate significant solar installations.

4. Landfills: Closed landfills can provide ample space for solar farms without disturbing active land use.

5. South-facing slopes on the outskirts of town would also be well-suited to capturing optimal sunlight throughout the day.

It's important to note that any such project would need to consider local planning regulations, environmental impact assessments and potential effects on local communities before proceeding.

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.

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