Crieff, a town in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, situated at latitude 56.3799 and longitude -3.8194, presents a challenging environment for year-round solar PV energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production in Crieff fluctuates dramatically throughout the year. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an average daily output of 4.95kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 3.87kWh per day. However, the performance drops significantly during autumn, with only 1.62kWh per day, and plummets to a mere 0.71kWh per day in winter.

These figures highlight the stark contrast between the bright, long summer days and the short, often overcast winter days typical of Scotland's climate. The substantial difference in output between seasons makes Crieff a less-than-ideal location for consistent year-round solar energy production.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize the total year-round production from solar PV in Crieff, fixed panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 47 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Crieff:

1. Cloud cover: Scotland is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency.
2. Rainfall: Crieff experiences considerable rainfall throughout the year, which can affect panel performance and require more frequent cleaning.

To mitigate these challenges, consider implementing these preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
• Install a robust cleaning system or schedule regular manual cleaning to combat the effects of rainfall and potential debris accumulation.
• Implement micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.

While Crieff's location presents challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper installation techniques and equipment selection can help maximize the system's output during the more favorable months of late spring, summer, and early autumn.

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 Crieff

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 56.3799, Longitude: -3.8194 (Crieff, 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 47° South in Crieff, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Crieff, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 56.3799, -3.8194) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 47° 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 Crieff, 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 Crieff, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 47° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
40° South in Summer	59° South in Autumn	69° South in Winter	48° 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 Crieff, 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 Crieff, 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 Crieff, United Kingdom

Crieff, a town in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, is situated in a diverse and picturesque landscape. The topography around Crieff is characterized by a mix of rolling hills, river valleys, and lowland areas. To the north and west of the town, the terrain becomes more rugged as it transitions into the southern edges of the Scottish Highlands. The nearby Ochil Hills and Grampian Mountains contribute to the area's varied elevation. The town itself sits at an elevation of around 200 meters above sea level, with the surrounding countryside featuring gentle slopes and undulating terrain. The River Earn flows through the area, carving out a broad valley that adds to the region's topographical diversity. This river valley provides some of the flatter areas in the vicinity of Crieff. To the south and east of Crieff, the landscape becomes generally less hilly and more suitable for agriculture. This area, known as Strathearn, features a mix of farmland, woodland, and scattered settlements. The terrain here is characterized by a gradual descent towards the lowlands of central Scotland.

Solar PV Potential

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would typically be: South-facing slopes: The gently rolling hills to the south and southeast of Crieff could provide favorable conditions for solar farms. These areas often receive more direct sunlight throughout the day, maximizing energy generation potential. Lowland areas: The flatter terrain found in parts of Strathearn, particularly to the east and southeast of Crieff, could be suitable for large solar installations. These areas offer easier access for construction and maintenance, and generally have fewer obstacles that might cast shadows on solar panels. Agricultural land: Some of the farmland in the surrounding area, especially where it's less productive or on marginal land, could be repurposed for solar energy production. This would need to be balanced with the need to preserve productive agricultural land. It's important to note that while the topography around Crieff offers some potential for solar PV development, the overall suitability would also depend on other factors such as local planning regulations, grid connection availability, and environmental considerations. Additionally, Scotland's northern latitude means that solar energy potential is generally lower compared to more southerly regions, which could impact the economic viability of 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.