Solar PV Analysis of Brentford, United Kingdom
The location at Brentford, England, United Kingdom is reasonably good for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round but it's not perfect. A solar PV system works by converting sunlight into electricity, so the amount of sunshine a place gets is important.
During the summer and spring months, this area can expect to generate quite a bit of electricity from solar PV. In summer, each kilowatt of installed solar could produce about 5.13 kilowatt-hours per day and in spring about 4.36 kilowatt-hours per day.
However, in autumn and winter the output drops significantly due to less sunlight - down to around 2.31 kilowatt-hours per day in autumn and just over a single kilowatt-hour per day during winter months.
So if you're thinking about installing solar panels here, you'll get more bang for your buck during the sunnier parts of the year - mainly late spring through early autumn when there are longer daylight hours and higher sun angles.
It's also suggested that fixed panel installations be tilted at an angle of 44 degrees facing south to maximise total yearly production from your panels as this will help them catch as much sunlight as possible throughout all seasons.
As for factors that might impede solar production at this location: Brentford is known for its relatively mild but often cloudy climate which could limit exposure to direct sunlight thus reducing potential output from your panels. It also rains quite frequently which might cause temporary dips in power generation but shouldn't have a significant impact overall unless there are long periods without any sunshine whatsoever.
Preventative measures that can be taken include installing tracking systems on your panels so they follow the sun across the sky increasing their exposure or using advanced materials with better light absorption properties even under cloudy conditions or low light scenarios like early morning or late afternoon times. Regular maintenance such as cleaning off any dust or debris accumulated on panel surfaces would also help in maximising their performance.
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 Brentford
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.4854, Longitude: -0.3051 (Brentford, 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 Brentford, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Brentford, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.4854, -0.3051) 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 Brentford, 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 Brentford, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35° South in Summer | 55° 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 Brentford, 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 Brentford, 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 Brentford, United Kingdom
Brentford is located in the Greater London area of England, United Kingdom. The topography around Brentford is mostly flat and urbanized with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
Despite being an urban area, there are still potential sites for large-scale solar PV installations. These could include:
1. Rooftops: Large buildings such as warehouses or public facilities like schools or hospitals often have large flat rooftops that could be suitable for installing solar panels.
2. Brownfield Sites: These are previously developed lands that are not currently in use. They can be found in and around Brentford and might be suitable for solar farms if they're not earmarked for other developments.
3. Car Parks: Large car parks could accommodate solar canopies - structures that cover parking spaces with solar panels on top.
4. Alongside Railways or Highways: If land ownership and safety issues can be addressed, these narrow strips of land may also offer opportunities for installing solar panels.
5. Water bodies: Floating Solar PV systems on reservoirs or lakes near Brentford could also be considered if regulations allow it.
It's important to note that the suitability of these locations would depend on factors like sun exposure (no shading), orientation (south-facing is ideal in Northern Hemisphere), local planning regulations, grid connectivity among others.
In terms of natural landscape features suited to large-scale PV arrays - there aren't many options immediately around Brentford due to its urban nature but larger open spaces further out from the city center might offer more 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: Monday 17th of June 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.
