Carnoustie, a town in Angus, Scotland, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this coastal town experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Carnoustie, with an impressive 5.02 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 3.94 kWh/day. However, the output drops considerably during autumn, producing only 1.68 kWh/day, and reaches its lowest point in winter with a mere 0.75 kWh/day.

These figures highlight the stark contrast between the bright, long summer days and the short, often overcast winter days typical of Scotland's climate. The substantial difference in output between seasons suggests that solar energy generation in Carnoustie is highly seasonal.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Carnoustie, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 48-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the town's latitude and the sun's position throughout the year, ensuring the best possible exposure to sunlight across all seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impact solar energy production in Carnoustie. The town's coastal location means it's prone to sea mist and fog, which can reduce solar panel efficiency. Additionally, Scotland's notorious cloudy weather can significantly affect solar output, especially during the autumn and winter months.

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following measures when installing solar panels:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove salt deposits from sea spray
• Install micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading

While Carnoustie's location is not ideal for year-round solar energy production, the strong performance during spring and summer months can still make solar PV a viable option. Combining solar with other renewable energy sources or energy storage solutions could help balance out the seasonal variations and provide a more consistent energy supply throughout the year.

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 Carnoustie

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 56.4975, Longitude: -2.7087 (Carnoustie, 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 48° South in Carnoustie, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Carnoustie, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 56.4975, -2.7087) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 48° 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 Carnoustie, 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 Carnoustie, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 48° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
40° South in Summer	59° South in Autumn	70° South in Winter	49° 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 Carnoustie, 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 Carnoustie, 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 Carnoustie, United Kingdom

The area surrounding Carnoustie, located on the east coast of Scotland, is characterized by a relatively flat and low-lying landscape. This coastal region, known as Angus, features gently rolling terrain with subtle variations in elevation. The town itself sits on a narrow strip of land between the North Sea and the surrounding countryside. To the north and west of Carnoustie, the land gradually rises into low hills and farmland. These areas are primarily used for agriculture, with fields of crops and pastures for livestock dotting the landscape. The soil in this region is generally fertile, supporting a variety of agricultural activities. South of Carnoustie, the coastline stretches along the Firth of Tay, forming sandy beaches and dunes. This area is known for its golf courses, including the famous Carnoustie Golf Links. The coastal environment transitions into more urban development as you move towards the city of Dundee, located about 11 miles to the southwest.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar PV installations near Carnoustie, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would likely be found inland, away from the immediate coastal zone. The gently sloping farmland to the north and west of Carnoustie could potentially accommodate solar farms without significant topographical challenges. These inland areas benefit from being relatively flat, which is advantageous for solar panel installation. They also tend to have fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on the panels, such as tall buildings or dense forests. Additionally, using agricultural land for solar farms could provide farmers with an alternative source of income while still allowing for some continued agricultural use beneath and between the panels. However, it's important to note that the region's latitude means it receives less direct sunlight compared to more southern locations. This factor, combined with the often cloudy Scottish weather, may impact the overall efficiency of solar installations. Despite these challenges, advances in solar technology have made it increasingly viable to generate solar power in northern regions like Scotland. Any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider local planning regulations, environmental impact assessments, and the visual effect on the landscape. The proximity to residential areas, existing power infrastructure, and the capacity of the local grid to accommodate new renewable energy sources would also play crucial roles in determining the most suitable locations for solar farms in the vicinity of Carnoustie.

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.

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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.