Blairgowrie, Scotland, located in the United Kingdom, presents a challenging environment for year-round solar PV energy generation. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which greatly impact its overall efficiency.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production in Blairgowrie fluctuates dramatically throughout the year. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.02 kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 3.94 kWh/day. However, the output drops significantly during autumn, producing only 1.68 kWh/day, and plummets to a mere 0.75 kWh/day in winter.

Optimal Generation Periods

The ideal times for solar energy generation in Blairgowrie are clearly during the summer months, typically from June to August, followed by the spring season from March to May. These periods offer longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies, maximizing solar panel efficiency.

Panel Installation Considerations

To optimize year-round solar production at this location, fixed panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 48 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to capture the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and Blairgowrie's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Blairgowrie:

1. Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, reducing solar irradiance.
2. Short winter days: Being relatively far north, Blairgowrie has very short days during winter, severely limiting solar generation potential.
3. Snow and frost: Winter snowfall and frost can temporarily cover panels, reducing efficiency.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these challenges and enhance energy production, consider the following measures when installing solar PV systems in Blairgowrie:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions
• Install snow guards or heating elements to prevent snow accumulation
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris
• Consider a dual-axis tracking system for optimal sun exposure, if budget allows

While Blairgowrie's location presents some challenges for solar PV generation, proper system design and maintenance can still yield satisfactory results, particularly during the more favorable months of the year.

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 Blairgowrie

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 56.581, Longitude: -3.4429 (Blairgowrie, 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 Blairgowrie, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Blairgowrie, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 56.581, -3.4429) 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 Blairgowrie, 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 Blairgowrie, 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 Blairgowrie, 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 Blairgowrie, 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 Blairgowrie, United Kingdom

Blairgowrie, located in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, is situated in a diverse and picturesque landscape. The town lies in the heart of Strathmore, a wide, fertile valley that stretches from Perth in the southwest to Forfar in the northeast. The topography around Blairgowrie is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills, flat agricultural land, and river valleys. To the north and west of Blairgowrie, the terrain gradually rises towards the foothills of the Grampian Mountains. This area features a series of low hills and ridges, with elevations increasing as you move further north. The landscape here is dotted with patches of woodland and heather-covered moorland, typical of the Scottish Highlands. South and east of the town, the land is generally flatter and more open. This area is part of the rich agricultural region known as the Strathmore Valley, where the soil is fertile and well-suited for farming. The River Ericht flows through Blairgowrie, carving a shallow valley and adding to the area's scenic beauty.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Blairgowrie for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The most suitable locations would be: The flat agricultural lands to the south and east of Blairgowrie offer the most promising sites for solar PV development. These areas benefit from relatively level terrain, which simplifies installation and reduces costs. The open nature of the landscape also means there are fewer obstacles to block sunlight, maximizing the potential energy generation. Some of the gently sloping hillsides to the north and west of the town could also be suitable, particularly those facing south or southeast. These locations may receive more direct sunlight throughout the day, potentially increasing energy production efficiency. However, it's important to note that while the topography around Blairgowrie offers some suitable areas for solar PV, the region's latitude means it receives less intense sunlight compared to more southern locations. Additionally, the area's weather patterns, characterized by frequent cloud cover and rainfall, may impact the overall efficiency of solar installations. Any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully balance the benefits of the suitable topography with these climatic challenges, as well as considering other factors such as grid connectivity, land use regulations, and environmental impact assessments.

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.