Blagdon, England, United Kingdom is a location with moderate potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this site experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which is typical for locations in the UK.

Seasonal Solar Production

The solar energy potential at this location shows strong seasonal patterns. During summer months, solar panels can generate a respectable 5.36kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring is also quite productive with 4.48kWh/day per kW of capacity. However, production drops considerably in autumn to 2.25kWh/day, and reaches its lowest point in winter with just 1.01kWh/day per kW installed.

This pattern indicates that Blagdon is most suitable for solar energy generation from late spring through early autumn, with peak production occurring during the summer months. The significant drop in winter production (about 81% less than summer) is an important consideration for year-round energy planning.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Blagdon, England, the ideal angle to maximize year-round energy production is 43 degrees tilted toward the South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and seasonal sun paths.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors could potentially impact solar production at this location:

• Cloud cover and rainfall: The UK's western regions, including Somerset where Blagdon is located, typically experience higher rainfall and cloud cover than eastern parts, which can reduce solar efficiency.
• Morning fog: Being in a rural area near water bodies, Blagdon may experience morning fog, particularly in autumn and winter months.
• Agricultural dust: The rural setting might lead to dust accumulation on panels during dry farming periods.
• Bird droppings: Rural locations with abundant wildlife can lead to more frequent panel soiling.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Regular cleaning schedule: Implementing quarterly panel cleaning, with additional cleaning during agricultural activity periods.
• Self-cleaning technologies: Consider panels with hydrophobic coatings that help rain wash away dust and debris.
• Elevated installation: Mounting panels higher can reduce the impact of ground-level fog and minimize dust accumulation.
• Bird deterrents: Installing simple bird deterrent devices can prevent droppings from reducing panel efficiency.
• Microinverters or power optimizers: These can help mitigate the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.

With these considerations addressed, Blagdon can still provide reasonable solar energy production, particularly when system design is optimized to make the most of the productive spring and summer months.

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 911 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 Blagdon

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.3275, Longitude: -2.7243 (Blagdon, 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 43° South in Blagdon, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Blagdon, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.3275, -2.7243) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Blagdon, 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 Blagdon, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° 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	54° South in Autumn	65° South in Winter	43° 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 Blagdon, 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 Blagdon, 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 Blagdon, United Kingdom

Blagdon is situated in a picturesque rural area of North Somerset, England, nestled in the northern foothills of the Mendip Hills. The topography around Blagdon is characterized by rolling hills, valleys, and a varied landscape that transitions between the higher elevations of the Mendips to the south and the flatter Somerset Levels to the north.

Surrounding Landscape

The village itself sits at approximately 50-100 meters above sea level, with Blagdon Lake (a reservoir) dominating the immediate northern area. The landscape around Blagdon features a mix of agricultural fields, woodland patches, and open grassland. The terrain gradually rises toward the south, where the Mendip Hills reach elevations of over 300 meters in places like Blackdown and Beacon Batch (the highest point in the Mendips). To the north of Blagdon, the land slopes downward toward the Bristol Channel and the Somerset Levels, becoming progressively flatter. This northern area features more expansive fields and fewer significant elevation changes. The western side includes the beginnings of the Lox Yeo Valley, while to the east lies Chew Valley Lake, another significant water body in the region.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

When considering locations for large-scale solar PV installations near Blagdon, several factors must be taken into account, including topography, land use, shading, and environmental considerations. The gently sloping agricultural lands to the north and northeast of Blagdon present the most suitable areas for solar PV development. These areas benefit from several advantageous characteristics: First, the moderate to gentle south-facing slopes provide optimal orientation for solar collection, maximizing exposure to sunlight throughout the day. The gradually descending terrain toward the Somerset Levels offers expansive, relatively flat areas that would require minimal grading for installation. Second, these northern areas typically feature larger agricultural fields with fewer woodland patches, reducing potential shading issues. The more open landscape also means fewer natural barriers that would complicate construction or reduce efficiency. The agricultural lands between Blagdon and neighboring communities like Churchill and Wrington contain parcels that could accommodate larger solar installations while minimizing visual impact on the most scenic parts of the Mendips, which are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). In contrast, the steeper southern slopes rising into the Mendip Hills would present significant challenges for large-scale solar development. These areas not only have more complex topography requiring expensive site preparation, but also fall within the Mendip Hills AONB, where development is more restricted due to landscape preservation concerns. Similarly, the immediate surroundings of Blagdon Lake would be less suitable due to potential environmental impacts on this important water resource and its surrounding ecosystems, as well as the recreational value of this area to local communities.

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.