Colwyn Bay, Wales, located in the United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this coastal town experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the effectiveness of solar PV installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Colwyn Bay, Wales, with an impressive daily output of 5.25kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.32kWh/day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn and winter, with outputs of 1.88kWh/day and 0.86kWh/day, respectively.

These figures highlight the stark contrast between the warmer and colder months, with summer producing over six times more energy than winter. This disparity underscores the importance of maximizing solar collection during the longer, sunnier days of late spring through early autumn.

Optimal Panel Installation

To achieve the best year-round solar production in Colwyn Bay, Wales, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 45-degree angle facing south. This orientation helps capture the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the year, balancing the low winter sun with the higher summer sun path.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impact solar production in Colwyn Bay:

• Cloud cover: The UK's notorious cloudy weather can significantly reduce solar output, especially during autumn and winter.
• Coastal effects: Salt spray from the nearby sea can accumulate on panels, potentially reducing efficiency over time.

To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning of solar panels is essential to remove salt deposits and other debris. Additionally, investing in high-quality, weather-resistant panels can help maintain efficiency in the face of challenging coastal conditions.

While Colwyn Bay's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, the strong performance during summer and spring makes it a viable option for supplementing energy needs, particularly when combined with other renewable energy sources or energy storage solutions.

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 Colwyn Bay

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.2984, Longitude: -3.7226 (Colwyn Bay, 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 Colwyn Bay, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Colwyn Bay, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.2984, -3.7226) 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 Colwyn Bay, 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 Colwyn Bay, 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	66° South in Winter	45° 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 Colwyn Bay, 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 Colwyn Bay, 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 Colwyn Bay, United Kingdom

Colwyn Bay, located on the north coast of Wales, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography. The town itself is nestled along a gently curving bay, with sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The land rises gradually from the sea, forming a series of rolling hills and valleys as you move inland. To the south and west of Colwyn Bay, the terrain becomes more rugged and elevated, transitioning into the foothills of Snowdonia National Park. This area is marked by steep slopes, rocky outcrops, and dense woodlands. The landscape is punctuated by several small rivers and streams that flow down from the higher ground towards the sea. East of Colwyn Bay, the topography becomes slightly flatter, with more expansive lowland areas. This region features a mix of agricultural fields, pastures, and scattered woodlands. The terrain here is generally more gentle and undulating compared to the western side of town.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar PV installations near Colwyn Bay, several factors come into play. The ideal areas would be relatively flat, receive ample sunlight, and have minimal environmental or visual impact. The lowland areas to the east of Colwyn Bay present the most promising opportunities for solar PV development. These areas offer more expansive, open spaces with fewer steep slopes, making them easier to develop and maintain. The flatter terrain also reduces the risk of shadowing, which can significantly impact solar panel efficiency. Agricultural land in this eastern region could potentially be suitable for solar farms, particularly if it's less productive farmland. However, it's crucial to balance energy production with food security and local agricultural needs. Some of the gently sloping hillsides to the south of Colwyn Bay might also be considered, provided they have a southerly aspect to maximize sun exposure. These locations would need careful assessment to ensure they don't negatively impact the scenic value of the landscape or interfere with important habitats. It's important to note that while the area around Colwyn Bay has potential for solar PV development, any large-scale installations would require thorough environmental impact assessments, planning permissions, and community consultations. The proximity to Snowdonia National Park and the area's natural beauty mean that visual impact would be a significant consideration in any development plans.

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.