Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom, situated at latitude 56.4943 and longitude -3.0704, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this Scottish city experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Output

The solar energy output in Dundee varies dramatically throughout the year. Summer is the most productive season, with an average daily output of 5.02 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 3.94 kWh/day. Autumn sees a significant drop to 1.68 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at merely 0.75 kWh/day.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The ideal period for solar energy production in Dundee spans from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. However, the substantial decrease in output during autumn and winter presents challenges for year-round reliance on solar energy in this location.

Panel Installation Considerations

For fixed panel installations in Dundee, Scotland, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 48 degrees facing south. This angle helps to capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year, considering the city's northern latitude and seasonal sun path variations.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Dundee:

1. Cloud cover: Dundee's coastal location contributes to frequent cloud cover, reducing solar irradiance.
2. Short winter days: The city's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, significantly limiting solar energy production.
3. Rain and fog: Common in this region, these weather conditions can further decrease solar panel efficiency.

Mitigation Strategies

To enhance solar energy production in Dundee, Scotland, consider the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed for low-light conditions
• Implement a solar tracking system to maximize exposure to available sunlight
• Regularly clean panels to remove dirt and salt spray from the nearby coast
• Consider supplementing with other renewable energy sources during low-production months

While Dundee's location presents challenges for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and appropriate technology can still make solar PV a viable part of the local energy mix, particularly during the more productive summer months.

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 761 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 Dundee

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 56.4943, Longitude: -3.0704 (Dundee, 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:

Average 5.02kWh/day in Summer.

Average 1.68kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 0.75kWh/day in Winter.

Average 3.94kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 48° South in Dundee, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dundee, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 56.4943, -3.0704) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 48° 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.

At Latitude: 56.4943, Longitude: -3.0704, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 48° South

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Dundee, 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 Dundee, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 48° South tilt angle throughout the year.

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 Dundee, 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 Dundee, 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 Dundee, United Kingdom

The topography around Dundee, United Kingdom, is characterized by a diverse landscape that combines coastal features, lowlands, and rolling hills. The city itself is situated on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, a large estuary that opens into the North Sea. This coastal location provides Dundee with a relatively flat terrain near the water's edge.

As you move inland from the coast, the landscape gradually rises into gentle hills and valleys. To the north and west of Dundee, the terrain becomes more varied, with the Sidlaw Hills forming a prominent ridge that runs roughly parallel to the coast. These hills, while not particularly high (the highest point, Craigowl Hill, reaches about 455 meters or 1,493 feet), create a noticeable change in elevation from the coastal plain.

The surrounding countryside is a mix of agricultural land, woodland, and open spaces. The River Tay and its tributaries have shaped much of the local topography, carving out valleys and creating fertile lowlands that have been used for farming for centuries.

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. Ideally, solar farms require relatively flat or gently sloping land with good exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Based on the topography around Dundee, the following areas might be suitable:

1. The coastal plain to the east and northeast of Dundee, where the land is flatter and there are fewer obstructions to sunlight.
2. Agricultural areas in the Carse of Gowrie, which lies to the west of Dundee along the northern shore of the Firth of Tay. This area is known for its fertile, flat land.
3. Gently sloping hillsides on the southern flanks of the Sidlaw Hills, facing south or southeast to maximize sun exposure.
4. Open spaces in the valleys between the Sidlaw Hills, provided they receive adequate sunlight and are not too overshadowed by the surrounding terrain.

It's important to note that while topography is a crucial factor in siting solar PV installations, other considerations such as land ownership, grid connectivity, local planning regulations, and environmental impact assessments would also play significant roles in determining the feasibility of large-scale solar projects in these areas.

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.

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