Clevedon, England, United Kingdom is a moderately suitable location for solar PV energy generation, though it faces the typical challenges of northern European climates with significant seasonal variation in output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production at this location shows dramatic seasonal differences. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 5.36 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it the prime season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best period with 4.46 kWh per day per kW, offering nearly comparable output to summer months. Autumn sees a notable decline to 2.24 kWh per day per kW, while winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 0.99 kWh per day per kW. This means winter production is less than one-fifth of summer output, highlighting the location's dependence on longer, brighter months for meaningful solar energy generation.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Clevedon, England, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 43 degrees facing south. This angle is specifically calculated to optimize total annual output by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the year and weighting the angles based on actual solar potential at this latitude.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in Clevedon can significantly impact solar panel performance:

• Marine salt spray from the nearby Bristol Channel can accumulate on panels, reducing efficiency
• High humidity and frequent coastal fog can decrease solar irradiance
• Strong coastal winds may cause vibration and potential structural stress
• Regular rainfall, while helpful for cleaning, can limit productive hours

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be considered. Panels should be mounted with adequate spacing to allow natural wind cleaning and prevent salt buildup in corners. Using corrosion-resistant mounting hardware is essential due to the marine environment. Regular maintenance schedules should include gentle cleaning to remove salt deposits, particularly during drier periods when natural rainfall isn't sufficient. Installing panels with anti-reflective coatings designed for marine environments can help maintain efficiency in high-humidity conditions. Robust mounting systems designed to withstand coastal wind loads will ensure panels remain properly oriented and secure. Additionally, choosing panels with good low-light performance characteristics can help capture more energy during the frequent overcast conditions typical of this coastal location.

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 911 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 Clevedon

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.4426, Longitude: -2.8601 (Clevedon, 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 43° South in Clevedon, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Clevedon, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.4426, -2.8601) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Clevedon, 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 Clevedon, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° 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	54° 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 Clevedon, 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 Clevedon, 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 Clevedon, United Kingdom

Clevedon's Coastal Topography

Clevedon sits on the North Somerset coast, positioned on a series of low hills that rise gently from the Severn Estuary. The town occupies an elevated position overlooking the Bristol Channel, with the landscape characterized by rolling hills that provide natural terracing across the area. The immediate coastline features dramatic cliffs and rocky outcrops, particularly around Clevedon Point, where the land meets the sea in a series of limestone formations.

The terrain around Clevedon is predominantly undulating, with elevations ranging from sea level to approximately 200 meters above sea level on the higher ridges. The hills are generally rounded and weathered, creating a patchwork of slopes with varying orientations. Much of the surrounding countryside consists of agricultural land, with fields separated by traditional hedgerows and stone walls that follow the natural contours of the landscape.

Regional Landscape Character

Moving inland from Clevedon, the topography transitions into the broader North Somerset levels and the foothills of the Mendip Hills. The immediate hinterland features a mix of pastoral farmland and small woodlands, with the land becoming progressively flatter as it extends eastward toward the Somerset Levels. To the south and southeast, the landscape rises more dramatically toward the Mendip escarpment, creating a natural amphitheater effect around the coastal plain.

The area benefits from its position on the western edge of the Severn Vale, where the land has been shaped by centuries of agricultural use. Field patterns are typically irregular, reflecting the historical development of the landscape, with many areas enclosed during medieval times. Small valleys and combes cut through the hills, often containing streams that flow toward the coast.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Clevedon would be found on the gently sloping agricultural land to the east and southeast of the town. These areas offer the ideal combination of south-facing slopes with gradual gradients that minimize shading issues while providing stable ground conditions for mounting systems. The fields between Clevedon and Yatton present particularly favorable conditions, with large open spaces and relatively uniform topography.

The elevated plateau areas inland from the immediate coastal zone would be especially suitable, as they avoid the more dramatic coastal topography while maintaining good exposure. These locations benefit from being above the influence of sea mists and coastal weather patterns that can affect the immediate shoreline. The agricultural land around Walton-in-Gordano and extending toward the M5 corridor offers extensive flat to gently undulating terrain that would accommodate large solar arrays effectively.

Areas to avoid would include the steeper coastal slopes and cliff-top locations, where the dramatic topography creates challenges for installation and maintenance. Similarly, the more heavily wooded valleys and combes would be less suitable due to shading concerns and access difficulties. The immediate floodplain areas closer to the Somerset Levels, while flat, may present ground stability and flooding concerns that would complicate large-scale solar development.

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.