Solar PV Analysis of Chorley, United Kingdom
The location at Chorley, England, United Kingdom, which is in the Northern Temperate Zone, can produce varying amounts of solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity generated from solar power depends on the season. In summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can generate about 5.31 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. In autumn, this drops to 1.94 kWh/day per kW; in winter it's even lower at only 0.90 kWh/day per kW; but it increases again in spring to approximately 4.39 kWh/day per kW.
This means that the most ideal time for generating solar energy in Chorley would be during the summer and spring months when daylight hours are longer and sunlight is stronger compared to other seasons.
If you're installing a fixed panel installation at this location, you should tilt your panels towards south at an angle of 45 degrees to get maximum production all year round.
However, there might be some local factors that could affect your ability to harness as much solar energy as possible here:
1) Weather: The UK generally has a lot of cloudy days which could reduce sunlight exposure and thus limit the amount of electricity generated by your panels.
2) Buildings or trees: Any tall structures or large trees around your property might cast shadows over your panels reducing their efficiency.
3) Pollution: High levels of air pollution can also decrease solar panel efficiency by blocking sunlight.
To combat these issues:
- You may want to consider installing more efficient types of panels like monocrystalline ones that perform better under low light conditions.
- Regularly clean and maintain your panels so they remain as efficient as possible despite any potential environmental pollutants.
- If possible prune tree branches or position your panels where they won't be overshadowed by buildings or trees for most part of the day.
In conclusion, while Chorley may not provide optimal conditions for solar energy production year-round due to its weather and seasonal variations, with the right setup and maintenance, it's still possible to generate a significant amount of 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 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 Chorley
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.6413, Longitude: -2.6692 (Chorley, 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 Chorley, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Chorley, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.6413, -2.6692) 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 Chorley, 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 Chorley, 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 | 67° South in Winter | 46° 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 Chorley, 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 Chorley, 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 Chorley, United Kingdom
Chorley is located in the North West of England, within the county of Lancashire. The topography around Chorley is varied with a mix of flat and hilly areas. It's surrounded by several hills including Healey Nab, Rivington Pike and Winter Hill to the north, which are part of the West Pennine Moors.
The area also features open farmland and woodland areas. The River Yarrow runs through Chorley providing some low-lying wetland areas as well.
When considering large-scale solar PV installations, it's important to consider factors such as available sunlight (solar irradiance), land use restrictions, proximity to power grids for easy transmission and environmental impact assessments.
Flat open spaces such as farmlands or brownfield sites would typically be most suited for large scale solar PV due to ease of installation and minimal shading. However, these need to be balanced against other considerations like agricultural needs or potential redevelopment plans for urban sites.
In terms of sunlight availability - while Chorley doesn't have as much sunshine compared to southern parts of UK due its northern location - it can still support solar energy production effectively given efficient panel technology today.
For specific site identification suitable for large scale Solar PV near Chorley, a detailed feasibility study would need to be undertaken involving local stakeholders including landowners and planning authorities.
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: Thursday 18th of April 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.
