Solar PV Analysis of Edmonton, United Kingdom
Edmonton, England, United Kingdom is not the most ideal location for year-round energy generation via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This is mainly due to its position in the Northern Temperate Zone, which results in less sunlight during certain parts of the year compared to locations closer to the equator. However, it can still generate a decent amount of power.
In simple terms, solar PV systems convert sunlight into electricity. The amount of electricity these systems can produce depends on how much sunlight they receive. In Edmonton, England, you can expect an average solar panel system to produce about 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in Summer, 4.36 kWh/day in Spring, 2.31 kWh/day in Autumn and just 1.07 kWh/day in Winter for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity.
This means that the best times for generating solar energy at this location are during Spring and Summer when there's more daylight hours and sunlight intensity is higher.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 44 degrees facing South will maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system as it will be well-positioned towards the sun throughout different seasons.
As with any place on Earth though, there could be local factors that could potentially hinder your ability to generate solar power here:
- Weather: Edmonton experiences overcast skies quite often which could limit the amount of direct sunlight your panels receive.
- Topography: Depending on where exactly you plan to install your panels within Edmonton area - buildings or trees might shade your panels.
To overcome these challenges:
- For weather-related issues: Use high-efficiency modules which perform better under low light conditions.
- For topographical or shading issues: Positioning and angling your panels correctly can help avoid shadows cast by nearby structures or trees.
Remember though that while these measures can improve performance they cannot completely negate the impact of these factors. You'll need to consider them when calculating your potential solar power generation and return on investment.
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 Edmonton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.621, Longitude: -0.051 (Edmonton, 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 Edmonton, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Edmonton, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.621, -0.051) 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 Edmonton, 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 Edmonton, 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 Edmonton, 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 Edmonton, 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 Edmonton, United Kingdom
Edmonton, United Kingdom is located in a relatively flat area, as it's part of the Greater London region. The topography does not have significant hills or mountains and the land is mostly urbanized with residential and commercial buildings.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are ideal as they receive more direct sunlight. However, considering Edmonton's urban environment, such large spaces may be limited. Potential sites for such projects could include:
1. Unused land on the outskirts of the city where there might be more open space.
2. Industrial areas where there are large rooftops or unused ground spaces.
3. Brownfield sites that have been previously used for industrial purposes but are now vacant could also be suitable if they're sufficiently decontaminated.
It's important to note that apart from topography and availability of space, other factors like local climate (amount of sunlight), grid connectivity and local regulations should also be considered when planning for a large-scale solar PV project.
Please consult with a local renewable energy expert or agency to get accurate information based on detailed feasibility studies.
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 17th of January 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.
