Solar PV Analysis of Cardigan, United Kingdom
Based on the given data, the location at Cardigan, Wales, United Kingdom seems to be decently suitable for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, it's not ideal in all seasons. The amount of energy you can produce with solar panels changes depending on the season.
In summer and spring, you would get quite a good amount of energy from your solar panels. On average, each kilowatt of installed solar could generate about 5.77kWh per day in summer and 4.89kWh per day in spring. So these are the best times to generate solar power at this location.
On the other hand, autumn and winter see a significant drop in production due to shorter days and less sunlight. In autumn, each kilowatt of installed solar would only give about 2.12kWh per day while winter is even lower at around 0.98kWh per day.
To maximize your total year-round production from your solar panels at this location, it's recommended that you tilt them towards south by an angle of 44 degrees.
As for potential issues that could affect your solar panel performance in Cardigan - yes there are a few things to consider:
1) Weather: The UK is known for its cloudy weather which can reduce sunlight exposure hence lowering power generation.
2) Topography: If there are hills or tall buildings casting shadows over your panels during certain times of the day or year they will produce less electricity.
3) Environmental factors: Trees or other vegetation might also cast shade on your panels reducing their efficiency.
To overcome these challenges:
- You might want to install more panels (if space allows) to compensate for lower efficiency during cloudy days or seasons.
- Make sure there are no obstructions like trees or buildings blocking direct sunlight especially when planning where to install them.
- Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help maintain their efficiency as dirt & debris can block sunlight too.
Remember, these are just general guidelines and the actual performance of your solar panels can vary based on many factors. It's always a good idea to get professional advice before making any decisions.
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 Cardigan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.1364, Longitude: -4.5406 (Cardigan, 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 Cardigan, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cardigan, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.1364, -4.5406) 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 Cardigan, 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 Cardigan, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36° 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 Cardigan, 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 Cardigan, 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 Cardigan, United Kingdom
Cardigan is a town in the county of Ceredigion, Wales, United Kingdom. The topography around Cardigan is characterized by its coastal location, rolling hills and valleys. It's located near the estuary of the River Teifi at the point where Ceredigion meets Pembrokeshire.
The area has a mixture of farmland, woodland and residential areas. The coastline features cliffs and sandy beaches while further inland you can find hilly terrain with some steep slopes. The highest points are typically covered in grassland or heathland vegetation.
In terms of solar PV potential, flat or gently sloping areas are usually most suitable as they receive more direct sunlight and installation is easier. Therefore, farmland around Cardigan could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations as it tends to be relatively flat compared to other parts of the landscape.
However, it's important to note that suitability also depends on factors like local climate (amount of sunlight), land use restrictions (e.g., protected areas), proximity to power grids for transmission etc. For instance, even though coastal areas may be flat enough for solar panels they might not be ideal due to potential issues with salt spray corrosion or planning restrictions related to maintaining natural landscapes/seascapes.
Finally, any large-scale solar project would need thorough site-specific assessments including environmental impact studies before proceeding.
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: Friday 12th 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.
