The City of London, United Kingdom, located at latitude 51.5164° North and longitude 0.093° West, offers moderate potential for solar PV energy generation, with significant seasonal variations throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy production at this location varies dramatically across the seasons. Summer provides the highest energy output at 5.08 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely with 4.29 kWh/day per kW. Production drops considerably in autumn to 2.25 kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest output at just 1.03 kWh/day per kW of installed capacity.

This pattern means that approximately 70% of annual solar energy is generated during spring and summer months (March through August), making these the ideal times for solar production. The remaining 30% is produced during autumn and winter (September through February), when shorter days and lower sun angles significantly reduce generation capacity.

Optimal Installation

For fixed panel installations in the City of London, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 44 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated based on the location's solar elevation angles throughout the year, weighted by daily PV potential using solar irradiance data, and accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit.

Challenges and Mitigation Measures

Several environmental and weather factors can impede solar production in the City of London:

• Frequent cloud cover throughout the year, particularly in autumn and winter months, significantly reduces solar irradiance
• Fog and mist events, common in the Thames Valley area, can temporarily diminish solar efficiency
• Urban air pollution, including particulate matter and smog, can reduce solar penetration
• Potential shading from the dense urban environment, including tall buildings and structures

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations should include high-efficiency panels designed for diffuse light conditions, regular cleaning schedules to remove urban dust and pollution residue, careful site assessment to minimize shading from surrounding buildings, and where possible, solar tracking systems to maximize exposure during limited periods of direct sunlight.

Despite these challenges, advances in panel technology have improved performance in low-light and diffuse light conditions, making solar increasingly viable even in the variable climate of London.

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 City Of London

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5164, Longitude: -0.093 (City Of London, 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 City Of London, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in City Of London, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.5164, -0.093) 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 City Of London, 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 City Of London, 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
35° South in Summer	55° South in Autumn	65° South in Winter	43° 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 City Of London, 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 City Of London, 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 City Of London, United Kingdom

The City of London sits within a shallow valley formed by the River Thames, which flows from west to east through the heart of Greater London. The topography is generally flat to gently undulating, with the historic Square Mile nestled on the north bank of the Thames at an elevation of only about 10-20 meters above sea level. This area represents the ancient core of London, with the terrain gradually rising as one moves outward from the riverbanks.

Surrounding Terrain Features

To the north of the City, the land begins a gentle ascent toward Islington and Highgate, forming part of what geographers call the London Clay Basin. This gradual incline continues northward, eventually reaching more pronounced hills in areas like Hampstead Heath, where elevations approach 100 meters. To the east, the terrain remains predominantly flat as it extends toward the Thames Estuary, creating the expansive flatlands that characterize East London and Essex. The southern bank of the Thames, directly opposite the City, is similarly low-lying. However, moving further south, the terrain begins to rise more noticeably toward the North Downs, a ridge of chalk hills that form part of the southeastern countryside beyond Greater London's boundaries. Westward from the City, the land maintains its generally flat character through Westminster and Central London, with subtle variations in elevation rarely exceeding 30 meters until reaching the western outskirts of Greater London.

Solar PV Potential in Surrounding Areas

When considering areas near the City of London suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several regions stand out based on topographical advantages: The eastern flatlands extending into Essex offer perhaps the most promising terrain for large-scale solar development. These areas combine relatively flat topography with fewer dense urban developments, potentially providing the necessary space for substantial solar arrays. The Thames Estuary region, including parts of East London and areas like Tilbury and Gravesend, features expansive open spaces that could accommodate larger installations. North Kent, south of the Thames, also presents suitable topography for solar development. The gently rolling terrain provides good solar exposure without significant shadowing from natural features, though urban development remains a limiting factor closer to London. The Lee Valley, stretching northeast from the Thames, offers another potential zone for solar development. Its relatively flat terrain and existing industrial character could make it amenable to larger-scale renewable energy projects. It's worth noting that while the immediate vicinity of the City of London itself has limited potential for large-scale solar installations due to the dense urban environment and historical preservation considerations, the Greater London Authority has identified numerous "opportunity areas" on the periphery of the metropolis where renewable energy development could be incorporated into planned redevelopment schemes. The most significant constraints for solar development near London aren't primarily topographical but rather relate to land availability, planning restrictions, and competing land uses in this densely populated region. The most practical approach may involve utilizing brownfield sites, former industrial areas, and transportation corridors where large-scale development would face fewer obstacles.

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.

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.