Solar PV Analysis of Cupar, United Kingdom
Cupar, Scotland, United Kingdom, is located in the Northern Temperate Zone and can be used to generate solar energy throughout the year. However, it's not ideal for consistent year-round solar production due to seasonal variations.
During summer months, you can expect a decent output of about 5.02kWh per day for each kW of installed solar power. This makes summer the best time for generating solar energy at this location. Spring also provides a good output with approximately 3.94kWh per day.
On the other hand, autumn and winter see a significant drop in potential energy production - down to 1.68kWh/day in autumn and even lower at just 0.75kWh/day during winter months.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting the panels towards south at an angle of 47 degrees would maximize their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year - thus maximizing total yearly electricity generation from your panels.
In terms of local factors that could potentially impede solar production: Cupar is known for its relatively high rainfall compared to other parts of UK which may reduce efficiency on rainy days; however modern PV systems are designed to withstand such weather conditions and still produce power albeit less efficiently than under full sun exposure.
To mitigate these issues as much as possible when installing a PV system here:
- Consider using equipment that's specifically designed or treated for wet climates.
- Regular maintenance (like cleaning off any debris) will ensure your panels are working optimally even on non-rainy days.
- Also consider installing tracking mounts instead of fixed ones if feasible – these follow the sun’s path across sky ensuring maximum sunlight absorption throughout daylight hours regardless season or time-of-day variations.
Remember though that while these measures can help optimize your system's performance they cannot fully overcome inherent limitations posed by local climate/seasonal variations – hence why despite being viable Cupar isn't considered an "ideal" location for year-round solar power generation.
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 756 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 Cupar
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 56.357, Longitude: -3.0965 (Cupar, 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 Cupar, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cupar, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 56.357, -3.0965) 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 Cupar, 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 Cupar, 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 Cupar, 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 Cupar, United Kingdom.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Cupar, United Kingdom
Cupar is located in the eastern part of Scotland, specifically in Fife. The topography around Cupar is characterized by a mix of flat lands and gentle hills with plenty of open fields suitable for agriculture. It's also near the coast which could provide consistent wind patterns.
However, when it comes to large-scale solar PV installations, there are several factors to consider beyond just topography. While the flat lands around Cupar would technically be suitable for such installations from a physical standpoint, Scotland isn't necessarily known for its sunny weather. The country has relatively low solar irradiance compared to other parts of Europe due to its northerly latitude and often cloudy weather.
That being said, if you're considering a solar PV installation in this area, it might be more practical on a smaller scale (e.g., rooftop installations) rather than large-scale farms. Also consider incorporating other forms of renewable energy like wind or hydro power which might be more reliable given the local climate and geographical features.
In terms of specific areas nearby that may be suited for large-scale solar PV - again keeping in mind the limitations posed by local climate - you might look at some of the flatter agricultural areas outside Cupar where there would likely be fewer obstructions (like tall buildings or trees) that could block sunlight.
Ultimately though, any decision about installing large-scale renewable energy projects should take into consideration various factors including not only topography and climate but also things like local regulations/codes/ordinances; potential impact on wildlife/habitat; availability and cost-effectiveness of technology; proximity to grid connections or demand centers; etc. Consulting with an expert who specializes in renewable energy project development would therefore be advisable.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 29th of May 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
