Birnam, Scotland, located in the Northern Temperate Zone of the United Kingdom, presents a challenging environment for solar PV energy generation. The location's latitude and longitude (56.5629, -3.5999) significantly impact its solar potential throughout the year.

Solar energy production in Birnam varies dramatically across seasons. Summer offers the most favorable conditions, with an average daily output of 4.95kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, yielding 3.87kWh/day. However, autumn and winter see a sharp decline in solar generation, with outputs of 1.62kWh/day and a mere 0.71kWh/day, respectively.

Seasonal Variations

The stark contrast between summer and winter production highlights the location's challenges for year-round solar energy generation. The long summer days in this northern latitude provide ample sunlight for solar panels, making it an ideal time for energy production. Conversely, the short, often overcast winter days significantly hamper solar output, rendering it less effective during these months.

For fixed panel installations in Birnam, Scotland, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 48 degrees facing south. This angle helps capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun paths.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several environmental and weather factors can impede solar production in Birnam:

1. Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, reducing solar irradiance.
2. Rainfall: Birnam's climate includes regular precipitation, which can temporarily decrease panel efficiency.
3. Short winter days: The northern latitude results in very short daylight hours during winter months, severely limiting solar generation potential.

To mitigate these challenges, several preventative measures can be taken during solar installation:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to combat rain and debris accumulation
• Consider adding a solar tracking system to maximize exposure during limited daylight hours
• Explore battery storage options to balance seasonal production disparities

While Birnam's location presents significant challenges for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and appropriate technology can help maximize the potential during favorable seasons and mitigate limitations during less ideal periods.

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 Birnam

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 56.5629, Longitude: -3.5999 (Birnam, 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 48° South in Birnam, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Birnam, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 56.5629, -3.5999) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 48° 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 Birnam, 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 Birnam, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 48° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
40° South in Summer	59° South in Autumn	70° South in Winter	49° 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 Birnam, 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 Birnam, 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 Birnam, United Kingdom

The area surrounding Birnam, a small village in Perthshire, Scotland, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque landscape. Situated along the banks of the River Tay, Birnam is nestled in a region of rolling hills, lush forests, and fertile valleys. The topography of this area is a testament to its glacial past, with the land having been shaped by ice movements during the last Ice Age. To the north and west of Birnam, the terrain becomes more rugged and elevated as it transitions into the foothills of the Grampian Mountains. These hills, while not as dramatic as the higher peaks further north, still provide a striking backdrop to the area. The famous Birnam Wood, immortalized in Shakespeare's "Macbeth," lies to the west of the village, covering the lower slopes of these hills with dense mixed woodland. To the south and east, the land opens up into the broader Strathmore valley, a long, fertile plain that stretches between the Grampian Mountains and the Sidlaw Hills. This area is characterized by gently undulating farmland, interspersed with small woodlands and meandering streams.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas nearby that might be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors need to be taken into account. The ideal location would have relatively flat or gently sloping land, good exposure to sunlight, and minimal environmental or cultural sensitivity. The most promising areas for solar PV development would likely be found in the Strathmore valley to the south and east of Birnam. This region offers larger expanses of open land with fewer obstacles to block sunlight. The gently rolling terrain of the farmland in this area could potentially accommodate solar arrays without requiring extensive land modification. However, it's important to note that while the topography might be suitable, other factors such as local planning regulations, grid connection availability, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the feasibility of large-scale solar projects in this region. The area's natural beauty and cultural significance, including its association with Shakespeare's works, might also present challenges to large-scale development. Additionally, the relatively northern latitude of Birnam means that solar energy yield would be lower compared to more southerly locations, which could impact the economic viability of large-scale solar installations. Despite these challenges, smaller-scale solar projects might still be feasible and could contribute to local renewable energy generation.

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

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.