Solar PV Analysis of Church Stretton, United Kingdom
Church Stretton in the United Kingdom, positioned in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately viable location for solar PV energy generation, with significant seasonal variations in output. Based on the data provided, this location experiences substantial fluctuations in solar energy production throughout the year.
Seasonal Solar Production
The solar energy output at Church Stretton varies dramatically across seasons. Summer represents the peak production period with 5.21kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 4.35kWh daily per kW installed. In contrast, autumn yields just 2.08kWh daily, while winter performance drops dramatically to only 0.96kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity.
This pattern creates a clear "solar calendar" for the location, with approximately 80% of the annual solar energy being generated during the spring and summer months. The six-month period from April through September represents the prime solar harvesting window at this location.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed solar panel installations at Church Stretton, England, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 44 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated by analyzing the daily solar elevation patterns at this latitude, weighted according to the solar production potential throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
Several significant factors may impede solar production at this location:
- The hilly terrain of Church Stretton (located in the Shropshire Hills) may create localized shading issues depending on the specific installation site
- The UK climate brings frequent cloud cover and precipitation, particularly in autumn and winter months
- Morning fog is common in valley locations, potentially reducing early-day production
- The northern latitude means significantly shorter days during winter, contributing to the low winter production figures
Preventative Measures
To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several installation considerations are recommended. Careful site selection to avoid shade from hills, trees and buildings is essential. Installing panels at the precise 44-degree south-facing angle will optimize year-round collection. Additionally, using micro-inverters or power optimizers can help minimize the impact of partial shading issues.
Regular panel cleaning is particularly important in this rural setting to remove pollen, bird droppings, and other debris that may accumulate. Finally, considering a slight oversizing of the system may help compensate for the very low winter production while taking full advantage of the productive summer months.
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 763 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 Church Stretton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.5491, Longitude: -2.7958 (Church Stretton, 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 Church Stretton, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Church Stretton, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.5491, -2.7958) 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 Church Stretton, 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 Church Stretton, 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 | 66° 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 Church Stretton, 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 Church Stretton, 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 Church Stretton, United Kingdom
Church Stretton is nestled within the striking landscape of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the United Kingdom. The town sits in a picturesque valley known locally as "Little Switzerland" due to its dramatic topography. The most prominent features of the area are the Long Mynd to the west and the Stretton Hills to the east, creating a distinctive valley formation that runs roughly north to south. The Long Mynd is a heather-covered moorland plateau that rises steeply from Church Stretton, reaching heights of approximately 516 meters (1,693 feet) at its highest point. This impressive upland area extends for about 7 miles (11 km) and features numerous steep-sided valleys known locally as "batches." The eastern face of the Long Mynd presents a dramatic escarpment overlooking Church Stretton, with steep slopes that are challenging to access.
The Stretton Hills
To the east of Church Stretton lie the Stretton Hills, which include notable peaks such as Caer Caradoc (459 meters/1,506 feet), The Lawley, Ragleth Hill, and Hope Bowdler Hill. These hills are characterized by their distinctive shapes and volcanic origins, forming part of the ancient geological feature known as the Church Stretton Fault. Caer Caradoc, with its distinctive profile and Iron Age hillfort, is particularly prominent in the landscape. The valley floor where Church Stretton itself is located sits at approximately 168 meters (551 feet) above sea level. This creates significant elevation differences between the town and the surrounding hills, with height variations of over 300 meters within very short horizontal distances.Potential for Solar PV Development
When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar PV development near Church Stretton, several topographical factors must be taken into account. The steep valley sides and high moorland areas present challenges for solar installation due to difficult access, potential visual impact, and environmental designations. The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV would likely be found in the broader, flatter agricultural lands to the north and south of Church Stretton, outside the immediate confines of the valley. These areas offer: 1. More gentle topography with south-facing aspects that receive consistent sunlight 2. Better accessibility for construction and maintenance 3. Less visual impact on the protected landscape of the Shropshire Hills AONB Specifically, the agricultural lands extending toward Craven Arms to the south and toward Shrewsbury to the north offer more favorable conditions. These areas feature wider valley profiles and agricultural land that could potentially accommodate solar arrays without the extreme gradients found on the valley sides immediately surrounding Church Stretton. It's worth noting that any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider the environmental designations in the area, as much of the landscape around Church Stretton falls within the Shropshire Hills AONB, which may limit development opportunities. The areas of least environmental sensitivity, combined with favorable topography, would be the priority locations for potential solar PV projects. The lower-lying agricultural land to the east of the Stretton Hills, extending toward the Severn Valley, may also present opportunities for solar development where the landscape opens out into broader, flatter terrain that receives good solar exposure while being somewhat removed from the most sensitive landscape areas.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: Tuesday 3rd of June 2025
Last Updated: Sunday 8th of June 2025
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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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