Solar PV Analysis of Dukinfield, United Kingdom
The location at Dukinfield, England, United Kingdom is not ideal for generating energy via solar PV year-round due to its position in the Northern Temperate Zone. However, it's still possible to generate some electricity from solar PV during different seasons.
During summer and spring, you can expect a decent amount of electricity output with 5.31kWh/day and 4.39kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar. This means that these are the best times of the year to generate solar energy at this location.
On the other hand, autumn and winter produce significantly less electricity with only 1.94kWh/day and 0.90kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 45 degrees facing South would maximize total year-round production from solar PV because this angle allows for maximum sunlight exposure throughout all seasons.
There might be environmental or weather factors that could impede solar production at Dukinfield such as frequent cloud cover or rain which could block sunlight from reaching the panels effectively reducing their efficiency. Other local factors like tall buildings or trees could also cast shadows on your panels further reducing their performance.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these challenges, you might want to consider installing more efficient types of panels that can perform better under low light conditions or using trackers which allow your panels to follow the sun’s path across the sky maximizing their exposure time. Regular cleaning and maintenance will also keep your panels working optimally by removing any dirt or debris that may accumulate over time blocking sunlight from reaching them properly.
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 911 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 Dukinfield
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.4767, Longitude: -2.0895 (Dukinfield, 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 Dukinfield, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dukinfield, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.4767, -2.0895) 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 Dukinfield, 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 Dukinfield, 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 | 67° 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 Dukinfield, 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 Dukinfield, 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 Dukinfield, United Kingdom
Dukinfield is located in the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester, England. The topography around Dukinfield is generally flat to slightly hilly. It's part of the urban area known as Greater Manchester, which means it has a significant amount of built-up and developed land.
When considering areas for large-scale solar PV installations, one would typically look for open spaces with minimal shading and relatively flat terrains. While Dukinfield itself may not have a lot of such space due to its urban nature, there are several areas nearby that could potentially be suitable.
1) Green Belt Land: There are some green belt lands surrounding Manchester where development is restricted but might be considered for renewable energy projects if local planning policies allow.
2) Brownfield Sites: These are previously developed sites that may now be vacant or underused. They can often be found in or near urban areas like Dukinfield and could potentially be repurposed for solar PV installations.
3) Agricultural Land: Farmland on the outskirts of the city could also potentially host large-scale solar arrays without interfering too much with farming activities – especially if they're low-intensity uses like grazing rather than crop cultivation.
4) Industrial Roofs: Large industrial buildings often have expansive roofs that can accommodate significant numbers of solar panels. This approach has the advantage of using already-developed land and being close to where electricity demand is likely to be highest.
However, all these options would require careful consideration regarding local planning regulations, environmental impact assessments and consultation with local communities.
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: Tuesday 28th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
