Solar PV Analysis of East Grinstead, United Kingdom
The location at East Grinstead, England, United Kingdom is moderately suitable for generating energy via solar PV year-round. During the summer and spring seasons, you can expect a higher electricity output of 5.13kWh/day and 4.36kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar. This means that these are the best times to generate solar at this location due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
However, during autumn and winter seasons, the electricity output decreases significantly to 2.31 kWh/day and 1.07 kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar due to shorter days and less intense sunlight.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 43 degrees South is ideal to maximise total year-round production from solar PV as it aligns with the path of the sun across the sky throughout different seasons.
As for environmental or local factors that could impede solar production in East Grinstead, England, it's important to note that weather conditions such as cloud cover or fog can reduce sunlight exposure on panels which can decrease their efficiency. Additionally, physical obstructions like trees or buildings could potentially block sunrays from reaching your panels.
To mitigate these issues when installing your panels:
1) Choose a spot with minimal shade throughout different times in a day.
2) Regularly clean your panels so dust or snow doesn't accumulate on them.
3) If possible install tracking systems on your panel so they move with the sun's position in the sky maximizing their exposure.
4) Consider investing in high-efficiency modules which perform better under poor light conditions.
In summary: Although there are seasonal variations in electricity output from solar PVs in East Grinstead due to its temperate climate zone location; by taking some preventative measures one can still make good use of this renewable energy source all year round.
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 East Grinstead
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.1313, Longitude: -0.0063 (East Grinstead, 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 43° South in East Grinstead, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in East Grinstead, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.1313, -0.0063) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 East Grinstead, 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 East Grinstead, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° 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 | 54° South in Autumn | 64° South in Winter | 43° 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 East Grinstead, 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 East Grinstead, 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 East Grinstead, United Kingdom
East Grinstead is located in the southeast region of England, known for its relatively flat to gently rolling hills. The area is part of the Weald, an area of great natural beauty with a complex geology. The town itself sits on a ridge line extending from Ashdown Forest in the east to Tilgate Forest in the west.
The topography around East Grinstead has some variations but generally consists of low-lying areas and gentle slopes which could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. However, it's essential to consider other factors such as local climate, sunlight hours, land use restrictions and environmental considerations.
Areas that are open and have good sun exposure would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations. These might include agricultural lands or industrial areas that are not shaded by buildings or trees. South-facing slopes would also be ideal as they receive more sunlight throughout the day.
However, given that East Grinstead and surrounding regions are known for their natural beauty and historical significance (including numerous listed buildings), any large scale solar projects may face significant planning and environmental challenges.
A detailed site-specific assessment would need to be carried out by professionals in order to identify suitable locations considering not only topography but also factors such as grid connectivity, local planning regulations etc.
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: Friday 15th of March 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
