Solar PV Analysis of Buxton, United Kingdom
The location at Buxton, England, United Kingdom, is not ideal for generating energy via solar PV year-round. The amount of energy you can generate will vary greatly depending on the time of year. During the summer months, you can expect to generate around 5.09 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed. This drops significantly in autumn to about 2.08 kWh/day per kW and even further in winter to just 0.96 kWh/day per kW. Spring sees an increase again with about 4.27 kWh/day per kW.
So if you're considering installing solar panels at this location, it's important to note that they will be most effective during the spring and summer months when daylight hours are longer and sunlight is more direct.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, the ideal angle to tilt your panels for maximum year-round production from solar PV is towards the south at a 45-degree angle.
As far as local factors that could impede solar production at this location - Buxton is known for its relatively high rainfall compared to other parts of UK which could mean less sunlight reaching your panels especially during autumn and winter months when rainfalls are heaviest.
It's also located within Peak District National Park which has hilly terrain so depending on where exactly your property is located there may be hills or other structures obstructing sunlight from reaching your panels directly.
If these factors are significant in your case, there are measures you can take when installing solar panels to ensure greater energy production:
1) You might consider using tracking systems that adjust panel position throughout the day or over seasons to maximize exposure.
2) If possible choose a site that has clear access to sunlight without obstructions like hills or buildings.
3) Regular maintenance including cleaning off any debris or dirt from your panels can also help them absorb as much light as possible.
Lastly, it's always a good idea to consult with a local solar installer who can provide detailed advice based on your specific location and circumstances.
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 Buxton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.1824, Longitude: -1.7715 (Buxton, 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 45° South in Buxton, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Buxton, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.1824, -1.7715) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 45° 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 Buxton, 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 Buxton, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 45° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36° South in Summer | 56° South in Autumn | 66° South in Winter | 45° 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 Buxton, 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 Buxton, 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 Buxton, United Kingdom
Buxton is located in the Peak District of Derbyshire, England. The topography of this region is characterized by rolling hills, valleys, and moorlands. It's a largely rural area with a significant amount of open space.
However, the Peak District is known for its often cloudy and rainy weather. This means that Buxton and its surrounding areas may not be ideally suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations due to lack of consistent sunlight.
That being said, there could still be potential for smaller scale installations on south-facing roofs or open fields that get a reasonable amount of sunlight. It would also be worth considering other forms of renewable energy such as wind or hydro power which are more suited to this type of environment.
The most suitable areas nearby for large-scale solar PV would likely be towards the East Midlands region where it tends to be flatter and sunnier compared to the hilly terrain around Buxton. Areas like Nottinghamshire or Lincolnshire could potentially offer better conditions for large-scale solar PV projects.
It's important to note that any renewable energy project should take into account local planning regulations and any potential impact on wildlife habitats or areas of outstanding natural beauty.
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: Tuesday 20th of February 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
