Burnham-on-Sea, England, located in the Northern Temperate Zone of the United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation. The coastal town's position at latitude 51.2415 and longitude -3.0018 offers varying levels of solar potential throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Burnham-on-Sea, England, with an average daily output of 5.36 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.48 kWh per day. These seasons provide the best conditions for solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies. Autumn sees a significant drop in solar output, producing an average of 2.25 kWh per day. Winter experiences the lowest generation, with only 1.01 kWh per day, due to shorter daylight hours and increased cloud cover typical of the UK climate.

Optimizing Solar Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Burnham-on-Sea, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 43 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors could potentially impact solar production in Burnham-on-Sea: 1. Coastal weather: Being a seaside town, Burnham-on-Sea may experience more frequent cloud cover and sea mist, which can reduce solar efficiency. 2. Salt spray: Proximity to the sea increases the risk of salt corrosion on solar panels and equipment. To mitigate these issues, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use marine-grade materials and protective coatings on solar equipment to resist salt corrosion.
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove salt deposits from panels.
• Install micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading from clouds or mist.

While Burnham-on-Sea's location presents some challenges for solar PV generation, particularly in autumn and winter, the strong performance during spring and summer makes it a viable option for renewable energy production. With proper installation techniques and maintenance, solar panels can still provide a significant contribution to the area's energy needs.

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 Burnham-on-Sea

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.2415, Longitude: -3.0018 (Burnham-on-Sea, 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 Burnham-on-Sea, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Burnham-on-Sea, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.2415, -3.0018) 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 Burnham-on-Sea, 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 Burnham-on-Sea, 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 Burnham-on-Sea, 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 Burnham-on-Sea, 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 Burnham-on-Sea, United Kingdom

The topography around Burnham-on-Sea, located on the western coast of Somerset, England, is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from coastal features to inland plains and hills. The immediate vicinity of Burnham-on-Sea is dominated by flat, low-lying coastal plains that were once part of the Somerset Levels. These areas are primarily composed of marshland and mudflats, which have been largely reclaimed for agricultural use over the centuries. As you move inland from the coast, the landscape gradually rises, forming gentle hills and undulating terrain. To the east and northeast of Burnham-on-Sea, the Mendip Hills begin to emerge, creating a more varied topography with steeper slopes and higher elevations. These hills, composed mainly of limestone and sandstone, provide a stark contrast to the flat coastal plains. To the south of Burnham-on-Sea, the Quantock Hills can be seen in the distance, adding another dimension to the region's topographical diversity. The River Parrett, which flows into the Bristol Channel near Burnham-on-Sea, has played a significant role in shaping the local landscape, creating a wide estuary and influencing the formation of mudflats and salt marshes along the coastline.

Areas Suitable for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would combine flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal environmental or cultural constraints. The reclaimed agricultural lands of the Somerset Levels, stretching eastward from Burnham-on-Sea, present promising opportunities for solar PV development. These areas offer vast expanses of flat, open land with few obstructions to sunlight. The agricultural nature of these lands means that large-scale solar installations could potentially be integrated with existing farming practices, creating dual-use scenarios. Some of the gently sloping areas on the fringes of the Mendip Hills might also be suitable for solar PV installations. These locations could benefit from slightly elevated positions, potentially increasing their exposure to sunlight throughout the day. However, care would need to be taken to avoid areas of outstanding natural beauty or sites of special scientific interest. It's important to note that while the immediate coastal areas around Burnham-on-Sea offer flat terrain, they may not be ideal for large-scale solar PV due to potential flooding risks and the sensitive nature of the coastal ecosystem. Additionally, any solar development would need to consider local planning regulations, grid connection capabilities, and the impact on the landscape and local communities. In conclusion, the areas east of Burnham-on-Sea, encompassing parts of the Somerset Levels and the lower slopes of the Mendip Hills, likely offer the most promising locations for large-scale solar PV development in the region. These areas combine favorable topography with good solar potential, while potentially minimizing conflicts with other land uses 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!

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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.