Solar PV Analysis of Elgin, United Kingdom
The location at Elgin, Scotland, United Kingdom, which is in the Northern Temperate Zone, is not ideal for generating solar energy year-round due to its varying seasonal output. However, it can still be a viable source of renewable energy.
In summer and spring, there's more sunlight so you can expect higher electricity outputs from solar panels - 4.82kWh/day and 3.93kWh/day per kW of installed solar respectively. These are the best times to generate solar power at this location.
On the other hand, during autumn and winter when days are shorter and there's less sunlight available, the amount of electricity generated by your solar panels drops significantly to 1.60kWh/day and 0.75 kWh/day per kW respectively.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 49 degrees towards south would give you maximum total annual production from your solar PV system.
There may be some local factors that could affect how much energy you're able to produce with your solar panels in Elgin:
- Weather: In areas like Elgin where it often gets cloudy or rainy especially during autumn and winter months; these weather conditions reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels thereby lowering their output.
- Environmental: The area might have tall trees or buildings that could cast shadows on your panels throughout parts of the day reducing their efficiency.
To combat these issues:
- You could install additional or larger capacity batteries for storing excess power produced during sunnier periods (like summer) for use during lower production periods (like winter).
- Regular cleaning/maintenance will ensure that dirt or debris doesn't build up on them over time which could also reduce their efficiency.
- If possible try installing them in an area where they won't be overshadowed by trees/buildings etc., if not possible consider trimming any obstructing branches/trees if allowed within local regulations.
So while Elgin might not be the perfect spot for solar power, with a bit of planning and maintenance you could still make it work quite well.
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 Elgin
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 57.6533, Longitude: -3.3219 (Elgin, 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 49° South in Elgin, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Elgin, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 57.6533, -3.3219) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 49° 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 Elgin, 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 Elgin, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 49° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41° South in Summer | 60° South in Autumn | 70° South in Winter | 50° 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 Elgin, 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 Elgin, 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 Elgin, United Kingdom
Elgin, United Kingdom is located in the region of Moray, Scotland. The topography around Elgin is characterized by rolling hills and plains with some low-lying areas along the coast. There are also several rivers and streams that run through the area. The overall terrain is relatively flat to gently sloping.
Large-scale solar PV installations require large open spaces that receive a lot of sunlight throughout the year. Considering this, potential suitable locations for large-scale solar PV near Elgin could be:
1) Farmlands: The rural areas surrounding Elgin have extensive farmland which could potentially be used for solar farms without causing too much disruption to local ecosystems or agricultural practices.
2) Coastal Areas: Some coastal regions near Elgin might also be suitable for solar PV due to their generally flat terrain and unobstructed exposure to sunlight.
However, it's important to note that Scotland's latitude means it receives less sun than countries closer to the equator, so while there may be potential sites for large-scale solar PV installations, their efficiency may not be as high as in sunnier climates.
Additionally, any plans for such installations would need careful consideration regarding environmental impact assessments and planning permission from local authorities.
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: Monday 15th of April 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 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.
