Solar PV Analysis of Falmouth, United Kingdom
The location at Falmouth, England, United Kingdom is decent but not perfect for generating energy through solar panels year-round. The amount of electricity you can produce from solar energy changes with the seasons. During the summer and spring, you can generate a lot more electricity (5.89 and 5.04 kilowatt-hours per day respectively) than in autumn or winter (2.32 and 1.15 kilowatt-hours per day respectively). So, it's better to rely on solar energy during longer daylight hours in the warmer months.
To get the most out of your solar panels in this location, they should be installed at a tilt angle facing 42 degrees South; this will maximize their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year.
There might be some local factors that could affect how much energy you can produce from your solar panels though. For example, Falmouth is known for its relatively high rainfall compared to other parts of UK which could lead to less sunshine hours thus impacting power generation potential from Solar PV systems.
Also, if there are any large buildings or trees nearby that cast shadows over your panels for part of the day, this would also reduce their output.
Some measures that can be taken when installing solar panels in such conditions include choosing locations with minimal shading throughout the day and ensuring regular cleaning and maintenance as dirt or debris accumulated due to rain can also reduce efficiency by blocking sunlight.
In conclusion, while Falmouth may not offer optimal conditions for year-round high-output solar power generation due to its seasonal variations in sunlight availability and potential weather-related challenges like rainfall; careful installation considering local factors like shading and regular maintenance could still make it a viable option especially during spring and 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 754 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 Falmouth
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.1459, Longitude: -5.1141 (Falmouth, 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 42° South in Falmouth, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Falmouth, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 50.1459, -5.1141) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 42° 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 Falmouth, 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 Falmouth, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 42° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34° South in Summer | 53° South in Autumn | 64° South in Winter | 42° 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 Falmouth, 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 Falmouth, 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 Falmouth, United Kingdom
Falmouth is located on the south coast of Cornwall, United Kingdom. The topography in and around Falmouth is characterized by its coastal setting, with a mix of flat and hilly terrain. The town itself lies in a valley, surrounded by hills on three sides and the sea to the south.
The area has several large open spaces that could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. These include agricultural lands to the north and west of the town which are relatively flat and receive good sunlight exposure throughout most of the year.
However, any plans for such installations would need to take into consideration various factors such as local planning regulations, potential impacts on wildlife habitats or areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), proximity to residential areas or other sensitive sites, as well as technical issues like grid connectivity.
In terms of specific locations nearby that may be suited to large-scale solar PV:
1) Areas around Penryn: Located just north-west of Falmouth with relatively flat terrain.
2) Areas around Budock Water: To the west of Falmouth where there is also some open land available.
3) Truro: Although it's about 12 miles from Falmouth but it's an area with plenty open spaces suitable for solar farms.
Again these suggestions would need thorough investigation including site visits before any decisions could be made.
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 8th of March 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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.
