Solar PV Analysis of Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom is not the best place for year-round energy generation through solar PV, but it's certainly not the worst either. It has more potential during some parts of the year compared to others.
In simple terms, a solar panel system in Bournemouth can produce about 5.79 units of electricity per day for each unit of solar power installed in Summer and about 5.12 units in Spring. This means that these two seasons are ideal times for generating solar power because there's plenty of sunlight.
However, during Autumn and Winter, production drops significantly to around 2.59 and 1.09 units respectively due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year in Bournemouth, England, you should tilt them at an angle facing 43 degrees South. This position allows them to capture as much sunlight as possible over different periods of the day and across all seasons.
There may be some local factors that could affect how much energy you can generate with your solar panels in Bournemouth though:
- Weather: The UK is known for its cloudy weather which can reduce how much sunlight hits your panels.
- Environmental: Buildings or trees could potentially shade your panels from direct sunlight.
Despite these challenges, there are ways to ensure greater energy production:
- Regular Maintenance: Keep your panels clean from dust or bird droppings which can block sunlight.
- Strategic Installation: Install your panels where they'll get unobstructed sun exposure; this might mean avoiding areas where shadows fall from nearby buildings or trees.
So while Bournemouth isn't perfect for year-round solar power generation due its variable weather conditions and seasonal changes affecting sun exposure levels - with careful positioning and regular maintenance - it's definitely possible to harness a useful amount of renewable energy using Solar PV systems here!
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 Bournemouth
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.7572, Longitude: -1.8955 (Bournemouth, 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 Bournemouth, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bournemouth, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 50.7572, -1.8955) 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 Bournemouth, 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 Bournemouth, 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 | 64° 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 Bournemouth, 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 Bournemouth, 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 Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Bournemouth is located on the south coast of England, and its topography is largely characterized by a flat coastal plain with some gently rolling hills. The town itself sits on a series of cliffs overlooking a large sandy beach and the English Channel. To the north, there are several areas of heathland and forest, including the New Forest National Park.
The climate in Bournemouth is mild with plenty of sunshine throughout the year which makes it suitable for solar PV installations. However, considering topographical aspects for largescale solar PV systems, flatter regions would be more ideal as they provide easier installation and maintenance.
Areas to consider would include:
1) The flat coastal plains surrounding Bournemouth: These areas have good sun exposure due to their open nature and lack of obstructions such as tall buildings or trees.
2) Agricultural lands: Large-scale solar farms often work well on agricultural land that isn't being used for crops or grazing. There are several such areas around Bournemouth, particularly towards Poole to the west and Christchurch in the east.
3) Industrial zones: There are also several industrial estates in and around Bournemouth where large rooftop arrays could be installed without impacting residential views or using valuable farmland.
It's important to note that any development must take into account local planning regulations as well as environmental considerations such as impact on wildlife habitats or landscape aesthetics.
In terms of specific locations suited for largescale Solar PV projects near Bournemouth, it's best to conduct a detailed survey taking into consideration factors like sunlight hours (insolation levels), land availability & use restrictions along with grid connectivity possibilities.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 27th of April 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
