Solar PV Analysis of Bilston, United Kingdom
Bilston, England, United Kingdom, which is located in the Northern Temperate Zone, has varying potential for generating solar energy throughout the year. During summer and spring, this location can produce a lot of solar energy with an average of 5.27 kilowatt-hours per day in summer and 4.42 kilowatt-hours per day in spring for each kilowatt of installed solar panel. This means that these two seasons are ideal times to generate solar power as there's more sunlight available.
However, during autumn and winter, the amount of sunlight decreases significantly resulting in less potential for solar energy generation. In autumn you can expect about 2.14 kWh/day while winter drops even further to just about 1.01 kWh/day per kW of installed solar.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 44 degrees towards the South is recommended to get the most out of your panels all year round.
As far as local factors that could interfere with your ability to generate power from the sun are concerned; Bilston experiences a temperate maritime climate characterized by cool summers and mild winters which may not be ideal for maximizing solar production due to frequent cloud cover and lower levels of sunlight especially during autumn and winter months.
Moreover, Bilston's topography is relatively flat which means there might be buildings or other structures casting shadows on your panels reducing their efficiency significantly if they're not well placed or oriented properly.
To overcome these challenges it's important when installing your panels that they're placed where they'll receive maximum exposure to sunlight throughout the day without any obstructions such as trees or buildings blocking them from view especially during peak hours (around midday). Also consider investing in advanced technology like tracking systems that follow sun’s path across sky thereby maximizing exposure time despite changing weather conditions or seasons.
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 Bilston
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.5664, Longitude: -2.0662 (Bilston, 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 Bilston, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bilston, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.5664, -2.0662) 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 Bilston, 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 Bilston, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Bilston, 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 Bilston, 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 Bilston, United Kingdom
Bilston, United Kingdom is located in the West Midlands region of England. The topography of this area is generally flat to gently rolling with some hills and valleys. It's known for its urban landscape, being part of the Black Country conurbation which includes Wolverhampton and Dudley.
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, areas that are flat or gently sloping are ideal as they provide maximum exposure to sunlight and make installation easier. Given Bilston's urban nature, it might be difficult finding large tracts of open land for such a project within the town itself.
However, there could be potential sites in surrounding rural areas or on reclaimed industrial lands. Brownfield sites (previously developed land that is not currently in use) can also be suitable for solar farms if they meet certain criteria.
The suitability would also depend on factors like local planning regulations, proximity to power grids for easy connection and distribution of generated electricity, as well as potential environmental impacts.
It's worth noting that while the UK isn't known for its sunny climate compared to other countries where solar energy is more commonly harnessed (like Spain or Australia), it still has significant potential for solar power generation especially during summer months.
As with any renewable energy project though, a detailed site assessment would need to be carried out by professionals before proceeding with development. This would take into account not just topography but also other factors such as local weather patterns and light levels throughout the year.
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: Sunday 7th of January 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
