Solar PV Analysis of Chesterfield, United Kingdom
Chesterfield, England, United Kingdom, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, has varying potential for generating energy through solar power throughout the year.
In simple terms, a solar panel's job is to convert sunlight into electricity. The amount of electricity it can produce depends on how much sunlight it gets. In Chesterfield, England, during summer and spring, there's quite a bit of sun - so you'd expect your panels to generate about 5.09kWh and 4.27kWh per day for each kW of installed solar respectively.
However, as autumn rolls around and daylight hours decrease with less intense sunlight reaching the area due to its geographical location in the Northern Hemisphere; this output drops down to roughly 2.08kWh/day per kW of installed solar.
The weakest time for solar generation is winter when days are shortest and often overcast or cloudy – which means less direct sunlight hitting your panels - resulting in an average daily production of just 0.96 kWh per kW.
If you're installing fixed-panel solar systems at this location, tilting them at an angle of 45 degrees towards the south would help maximize their exposure to available sunlight throughout different times of the year – leading to more efficient energy production overall.
When considering factors that could hinder solar production in Chesterfield; weather conditions such as regular cloud cover or fog could reduce incoming light intensity thus lowering output from panels significantly especially during winter months when sunshine hours are already limited.
To mitigate these possible issues while installing a system here; one might consider using high-efficiency modules that perform better under low-light conditions or even tracking mounts that follow the sun’s path across sky maximizing exposure despite shorter days.
Also important is regular maintenance like cleaning off any accumulated dust or debris on panel surfaces which can obstruct incoming light reducing efficiency further – particularly after harsher weather events common during colder seasons like snowfall or heavy rainstorms which may leave residue behind even after they’ve passed.
In conclusion, while Chesterfield may not be the most ideal location for solar energy production year-round due to its seasonal variations in sunlight availability – with careful planning and appropriate system design, it can still be a viable option for generating renewable electricity from solar power.
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 754 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 Chesterfield
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.2478, Longitude: -1.4023 (Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Chesterfield, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.2478, -1.4023) 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 Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37° 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 Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, United Kingdom
Chesterfield is located in the East Midlands region of England, within the county of Derbyshire. The topography around Chesterfield is a mix of flat and hilly terrain as it sits on the edge of the Peak District National Park, which features rugged hills and valleys.
The area to the east and south-east of Chesterfield is relatively flat compared to its west and north-west, making it more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. These areas include towns such as Mansfield and Nottingham.
However, suitability for solar PV also depends on other factors such as solar irradiance (amount of sunlight), land use restrictions, proximity to power grid connections etc., not just topography alone. According to UK's Solar Map developed by Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), Chesterfield receives moderate amounts of sunlight compared to other parts in UK.
Moreover, former industrial sites or 'brownfields' could be potential areas for large scale solar farms due to their lower impact on natural habitats or agricultural uses. It's worth noting that any largescale project would require detailed feasibility studies including environmental impact assessments 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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 12th of July 2024
Last Updated: Friday 12th of July 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.
