Solar PV Analysis of Burgess Hill, United Kingdom
Burgess Hill, England, located in West Sussex, United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Temperate Zone location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which impacts the overall efficiency of solar installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Burgess Hill, England, with an impressive output of 5.79 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.12 kWh per day. These warmer months, characterized by longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies, offer ideal conditions for solar energy production.
However, the picture changes dramatically during the colder months. Autumn sees a significant drop in output to 2.59 kWh per day, while winter performance plummets to a mere 1.09 kWh per day. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of relying solely on solar energy in this location year-round.
Optimizing Solar Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Burgess Hill, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 43 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun paths.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several factors can impede solar production in Burgess Hill:
- Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequently overcast skies, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency.
- Rain and humidity: Burgess Hill experiences considerable rainfall, which can affect panel performance and require more frequent cleaning.
To mitigate these challenges, consider installing high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions. Regular panel cleaning and maintenance can also help maintain optimal performance. Additionally, incorporating a battery storage system can help balance out the seasonal variations in energy production, ensuring a more consistent power supply throughout the year.
In conclusion, while Burgess Hill's location is not ideal for year-round solar energy production, proper installation techniques and technology choices can still make solar PV a viable renewable energy option, particularly during the 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 761 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 Burgess Hill
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.9583, Longitude: -0.1342 (Burgess Hill, 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 Burgess Hill, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Burgess Hill, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 50.9583, -0.1342) 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 Burgess Hill, 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 Burgess Hill, 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 Burgess Hill, 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 Burgess Hill, 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 Burgess Hill, United Kingdom
The topography around Burgess Hill, United Kingdom, is characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys typical of the South Downs region. This area, located in West Sussex, sits at the edge of the Low Weald, a clay vale that stretches between the chalk hills of the North and South Downs.
Burgess Hill itself is situated on a small hill, with the land gradually sloping downwards in most directions. To the south and southeast, the terrain becomes more pronounced as it approaches the South Downs, a range of chalk hills that runs roughly east-west. These downs feature a mix of open grassland and wooded areas.
To the north and west of Burgess Hill, the landscape is generally flatter, with occasional low hills and shallow valleys. This area is part of the Low Weald, characterized by its clay soil and a patchwork of fields, hedgerows, and small woodlands.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors need to be considered. The ideal locations would have the following characteristics:
- Relatively flat or gently sloping land facing south
- Minimal shading from trees or buildings
- Good access to the electrical grid
- Away from areas of outstanding natural beauty or protected landscapes
With these factors in mind, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Burgess Hill would likely be found in the flatter agricultural lands to the north and northwest of the town. These areas generally have fewer restrictions in terms of landscape designations and may offer larger, open spaces that could accommodate solar farms.
However, it's important to note that the South Downs National Park lies just to the south of Burgess Hill, which would likely preclude large-scale solar developments in that direction due to landscape protection measures. Any potential solar projects would need to be carefully planned and assessed to ensure they comply with local planning regulations and environmental considerations.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 14th of August 2024
Last Updated: Thursday 15th of August 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.
