Solar Energy Potential in Cleveleys, England, UK

Cleveleys, England, a coastal town in the United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output. The summer months offer the most promising conditions for solar energy production, with an average daily output of 5.31kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, yielding 4.39kWh per day. These periods, typically from late March to early September, provide the most favorable conditions for solar energy generation in Cleveleys. However, the autumn and winter months paint a different picture. Autumn sees a substantial drop in production to 1.94kWh per day, while winter experiences a further decline to a mere 0.90kWh per day. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of year-round solar energy reliance in this location.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Cleveleys, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 45-degree angle facing south. This optimal tilt helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun angles.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impede solar production in Cleveleys: 1. Coastal weather: Being a coastal town, Cleveleys is prone to frequent cloud cover and fog, which can significantly reduce solar output. 2. Rain and overcast conditions: The UK's notoriously wet weather, particularly in autumn and winter, can further diminish solar efficiency. 3. Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, severely limiting solar generation potential. To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to combat salt spray and seagull droppings
• Consider a hybrid system combining solar with other renewable sources to ensure year-round energy production

While Cleveleys may not be ideal for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and appropriate technology can still make solar a viable part of the local energy mix, particularly during the more favorable months of spring and summer.

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 Cleveleys

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.8743, Longitude: -3.0233 (Cleveleys, 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 Cleveleys, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cleveleys, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.8743, -3.0233) 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 Cleveleys, 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 Cleveleys, 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	57° 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 Cleveleys, 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 Cleveleys, 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 Cleveleys, United Kingdom

The topography around Cleveleys, United Kingdom, is predominantly flat and low-lying. This coastal town is situated on the Fylde peninsula in Lancashire, facing the Irish Sea. The landscape is characterized by a wide, sandy beach and a gently sloping shoreline. As you move inland from Cleveleys, the terrain remains relatively level, with only slight undulations in the surrounding countryside.

The area is part of a larger coastal plain that extends along much of the western coast of Lancashire. This flat landscape is a result of glacial and post-glacial processes that shaped the region thousands of years ago. The low-lying nature of the terrain means that there are few natural barriers or significant elevation changes in the immediate vicinity of Cleveleys.

Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat topography of the region offers some potential advantages. However, there are several factors to consider:

The agricultural land to the east and southeast of Cleveleys could potentially be suitable for solar farms. These areas are generally open and flat, which is ideal for maximizing sun exposure throughout the day. The lack of significant hills or forests means there would be minimal natural shading.

However, it's important to note that the northwest of England, including the area around Cleveleys, receives less annual sunshine compared to southern parts of the UK. This could impact the overall efficiency and output of solar installations in the region.

Additionally, the coastal location means that salt spray and strong winds could potentially affect solar panel performance and longevity. Any large-scale solar projects would need to take these environmental factors into account.

Lastly, while the flat terrain is generally favorable for solar installations, the high water table and potential for flooding in some low-lying areas might pose challenges. Careful site selection and appropriate engineering solutions would be necessary to mitigate these risks.

In conclusion, while the topography around Cleveleys is conducive to solar PV installations from a landscape perspective, other environmental and climatic factors would need careful consideration when planning any large-scale solar projects in the area.

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.