Solar PV Analysis of Didcot, United Kingdom
The location at Didcot, England, United Kingdom, which is situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, can be considered as a reasonably good spot for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, there are better times during the year than others.
In terms of solar energy production per kilowatt of installed solar power capacity:
- Summer is the best season with an average output of 5.13 kilowatt-hours per day.
- Spring follows closely behind with 4.36 kilowatt-hours per day.
- Autumn sees a significant drop to just 2.31 kilowatt-hours per day.
- Winter has the lowest output with only about 1.07 kilowatt-hours generated each day.
Therefore, if you're planning on installing a solar PV system at this location, it would be most productive in summer and spring months due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
For maximum efficiency from your panels all year round at this location, they should ideally be tilted towards south at an angle of approximately 44 degrees. This will allow them to capture as much sunlight as possible over different seasons.
As for local factors that could affect solar production here: The UK's weather patterns can sometimes interfere with optimal sun exposure - particularly in autumn and winter when days are shorter and cloud cover or fog may limit sunlight reaching your panels. Additionally, any nearby tall buildings or trees could potentially block some sunlight if not correctly positioned.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Regular cleaning and maintenance of your panels is crucial - especially after bad weather conditions like storms or heavy snowfall which could leave debris on your panels blocking out light.
2) If possible try to position your installation away from obstructions like tall structures or trees that might cast shadows onto your panels particularly during key sun hours.
3) Consider using advanced technology like tracking mounts that follow the sun’s path or bifacial panels that can absorb sunlight from both sides, to increase your solar production.
Remember, while these measures can help improve efficiency, the exact results will always depend on the specific local conditions and weather patterns at any given time.
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 Didcot
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5667, Longitude: -1.1985 (Didcot, 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 44° South in Didcot, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Didcot, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.5667, -1.1985) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 44° 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 Didcot, 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 Didcot, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 44° 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 | 55° South in Autumn | 65° South in Winter | 44° 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 Didcot, 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 Didcot, 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 Didcot, United Kingdom
Didcot, United Kingdom is situated in the Thames Valley region, which is predominantly flat and low-lying. It's surrounded by agricultural land with some small patches of woodland. The area generally has a moderate climate with decent sunlight exposure.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be the open, flat farmlands around Didcot due to their high sun exposure and less obstruction from buildings or trees. Some specific locations could include the fields to the south and east of Didcot where there are fewer residential areas.
However, it's important to consider factors such as local planning regulations, potential impact on wildlife habitats or agricultural use before deploying large-scale solar projects. Therefore, a detailed feasibility study would be needed for each potential site.
Also note that rooftops of industrial buildings in nearby Milton Park or Harwell Campus could also potentially host smaller scale solar PV systems.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 5th of June 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.
