Solar PV Analysis of Camden, United Kingdom
In simple terms, the location at Camden, England, United Kingdom is not ideal for generating solar energy year-round but it can still be useful. This is because the amount of sunlight that can be converted into energy (measured in kilowatt-hours or kWh) varies greatly throughout the year.
During summer, you can expect to generate about 5.13kWh per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This decreases to 2.31kWh/day in autumn and drops even further to just 1.07kWh/day in winter due to shorter days and less intense sunlight during these seasons. However, production increases again in spring with an average of 4.36kWh/day per kW.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar panels at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 44 degrees facing south.
There may also be local factors that could affect your solar panel's performance such as weather conditions and physical landscape features like tall buildings or trees blocking sunlight from reaching your panels.
The UK is known for its cloudy weather which could reduce the amount of direct sunlight hitting your panels thereby reducing their efficiency. Also, Camden being a built-up urban area means there might be tall buildings around that could cast shadows on your panels especially during winter when the sun is low in the sky.
To counteract these potential issues, you might want to consider installing more efficient types of solar panels that work well even under less than ideal conditions such as monocrystalline or thin-film types which perform better under low light conditions compared to other types like polycrystalline ones.
Also if possible try placing them where they'll get most sun exposure throughout the day and won't get shaded by nearby structures or vegetation especially between peak sunshine hours usually between 9am-3pm when they can generate most power.
So while it's not perfect all year round, solar energy can still be a viable option in Camden, England, UK with the right setup and considerations.
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 Camden
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5518, Longitude: -0.1345 (Camden, 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 Camden, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Camden, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.5518, -0.1345) 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 Camden, 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 Camden, 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 | 44° 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 Camden, 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 Camden, 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 Camden, United Kingdom
Camden is located in London, United Kingdom. The topography of the area is relatively flat as it's situated in an urban area with buildings and infrastructure. The altitude ranges from 15 to 135 meters above sea level.
For large-scale solar PV installations, you would ideally look for open, flat areas with a lot of sunlight exposure. In an urban setting like Camden, rooftops of large buildings such as warehouses or public facilities could potentially be suitable for solar panel installation.
However, since Camden is part of central London which is densely populated and built-up, finding large open spaces within the borough itself might be challenging. Nearby areas that are more rural or have larger open spaces may be more suited for this purpose.
It's also important to consider other factors such as local regulations and restrictions on building solar farms or installing panels on roofs, access to the grid and potential environmental impacts before deciding on a location for a large-scale solar PV project.
You should conduct a detailed feasibility study including site surveys and consultations with local planning authorities before proceeding with any plans to install large-scale solar panels in or around Camden.
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: Sunday 7th of January 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.
