Fareham, England, United Kingdom, situated at latitude 50.8494 and longitude -1.1777, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which affects the overall efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production in Fareham varies considerably across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, 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 sharp decline in production during autumn and winter, with outputs of 2.59 kWh/day and 1.09 kWh/day, respectively.

These figures indicate that Fareham experiences a significant solar energy potential during the warmer months, particularly from late spring through early autumn. This period, roughly from May to September, is ideal for maximizing solar energy generation in the area.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Fareham, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 43 degrees facing south. This optimal angle has been calculated considering the location's latitude, the Earth's elliptical orbit, and daily solar elevation angles, weighted by NASA's solar irradiance data.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Fareham's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental and weather factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:

• Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can reduce solar irradiance reaching the panels.
• Rainfall: Fareham experiences moderate rainfall throughout the year, which may temporarily decrease panel efficiency.

To mitigate these factors, consider implementing the following measures during solar panel installation:

1. Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in diffuse light conditions.
2. Install a reliable cleaning system or schedule regular maintenance to remove dirt and debris that may accumulate due to rainfall.
3. Consider incorporating micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.

In conclusion, while Fareham's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, particularly during the winter months, it still offers substantial potential for solar PV systems. With proper installation techniques and regular maintenance, solar panels can provide a significant contribution to the area's renewable energy mix.

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 Fareham

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.8494, Longitude: -1.1777 (Fareham, 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 Fareham, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fareham, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 50.8494, -1.1777) 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 Fareham, 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 Fareham, 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 Fareham, 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 Fareham, United Kingdom.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Fareham, United Kingdom

Fareham, located in Hampshire, England, sits in a relatively flat coastal plain area. The topography around Fareham is characterized by gentle undulations and low-lying land, with some subtle hills and valleys. To the north of the town, the terrain gradually rises towards the South Downs, a range of chalk hills that form a natural boundary. This transition from coastal plain to downland creates a varied landscape in the region. The immediate surroundings of Fareham feature a mix of urban development, agricultural land, and patches of woodland. The coastline to the south, including Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent, influences the local topography with its inlets, mudflats, and estuarine environment. This coastal area is notably flat, with minimal elevation changes.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Fareham suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The most promising locations would be relatively flat, open spaces with good sun exposure and minimal shading from trees or buildings. The agricultural lands to the north and northwest of Fareham present potential opportunities for solar development. These areas often feature expansive fields with fewer obstructions, making them ideal for solar arrays. The gently sloping terrain in this direction could also be advantageous, as south-facing slopes receive more direct sunlight throughout the day. Another area of interest might be the coastal plain to the east and southeast of Fareham. This region, extending towards Gosport and Lee-on-the-Solent, offers flat terrain and open spaces that could accommodate large solar installations. However, proximity to residential areas and potential conflicts with other land uses would need to be carefully considered. It's important to note that while these areas may be topographically suitable, any large-scale solar PV development would need to take into account various other factors. These include local planning regulations, environmental considerations, grid connection availability, and the impact on the landscape and local communities. The South Downs National Park to the north would likely be off-limits for such development due to its protected status. In conclusion, while the area around Fareham offers some potential for large-scale solar PV installations, particularly in the agricultural lands to the north and the coastal plain to the east, careful planning and consideration of multiple factors would be necessary to identify the most suitable locations.

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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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.