Solar PV Analysis of Eastleigh, United Kingdom
Eastleigh, England, United Kingdom, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's solar productivity varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during the summer months.
Seasonal Solar Output
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an average daily output of 5.79 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.12 kWh/day. However, there's a substantial drop in energy production during autumn and winter, with outputs of 2.59 kWh/day and 1.09 kWh/day, respectively.
Optimal Installation Angle
For fixed panel installations in Eastleigh, England, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 43 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Best Times for Solar Generation
The most favorable period for solar energy production in Eastleigh spans from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. However, even during the less productive winter months, modern solar technologies can still generate a useful amount of electricity.
Potential Challenges and Solutions
Eastleigh's location in the UK means it faces some challenges for solar energy production. The primary factors that could impede solar generation include:
- Frequent cloud cover and overcast conditions
- Short winter days with limited sunlight
To mitigate these challenges, several preventative measures can be taken during solar installation:
1. Use high-efficiency solar panels designed for low-light conditions. These panels can better capture diffuse light on cloudy days.
2. Implement a robust cleaning and maintenance schedule to ensure panels remain free from debris, which is particularly important during autumn when fallen leaves may accumulate.
3. Consider incorporating solar tracking systems for larger installations, which can increase energy yield by following the sun's path throughout the day.
4. Install micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.
By implementing these measures, solar installations in Eastleigh can maximize their energy production potential despite the location's seasonal variations and weather patterns.
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 Eastleigh
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.9661, Longitude: -1.3348 (Eastleigh, 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 Eastleigh, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Eastleigh, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 50.9661, -1.3348) 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 Eastleigh, 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 Eastleigh, 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 Eastleigh, 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 Eastleigh, 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 Eastleigh, United Kingdom
The topography around Eastleigh, United Kingdom, is generally characterized by gently rolling lowlands. The town itself is situated in a relatively flat area, with the River Itchen flowing through its eastern side. To the north and west, the land gradually rises into low hills, while to the south, it remains mostly level as it approaches the coast of Southampton Water.
The surrounding landscape is a mix of urban development, suburban areas, and rural countryside. There are pockets of woodland scattered throughout the region, interspersed with agricultural fields and pastures. The South Downs National Park lies to the east, featuring more pronounced hills and chalk ridges, but this is some distance from Eastleigh itself.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors need to be considered. Ideal locations would have relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good exposure to sunlight throughout the day, and minimal shading from trees or buildings. Additionally, areas with lower agricultural value or brownfield sites are often preferred for such developments.
With these criteria in mind, some potentially suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Eastleigh might include:
- Former industrial sites or brownfield land on the outskirts of Eastleigh or neighboring towns
- Larger agricultural fields to the north and west of Eastleigh, particularly those with south-facing slopes
- Open areas near the M3 motorway corridor, where land may already be less suitable for other uses
- Portions of disused airfields or military sites in the wider region, if any are available
It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV development would require careful planning, environmental impact assessments, and approval from local authorities. The suitability of specific sites would need to be evaluated in detail, taking into account factors such as grid connection availability, local wildlife, and community impact.
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: Monday 26th of August 2024
Last Updated: Monday 26th of August 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.
