Solar Energy Potential in Faringdon, England, UK

Faringdon, England, a town in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, presents a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar output. The summer months offer the most promising conditions for solar energy production, with an average daily output of 5.08 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.29 kWh/day. These seasons provide ideal opportunities for maximizing solar energy collection. Autumn sees a significant drop in solar potential, with daily output decreasing to 2.25 kWh/day. Winter presents the greatest challenge, producing only 1.03 kWh/day on average. This substantial seasonal variation highlights the importance of efficient system design and energy storage solutions to maintain consistent power supply throughout the year.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Faringdon, England, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 44 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Faringdon's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some factors that could impact efficiency: 1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its cloudy weather, which can reduce solar panel efficiency. 2. Rainfall: Frequent rain in the region may lead to dirt accumulation on panels, potentially decreasing their performance. To mitigate these issues, consider the following preventative measures:

• Install self-cleaning panels or implement regular cleaning schedules
• Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in diffuse light conditions
• Incorporate microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading

By addressing these factors and optimizing panel placement, Faringdon residents can make the most of their solar PV systems, contributing to sustainable energy production despite the seasonal variations and local 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 763 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 Faringdon

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.6154, Longitude: -1.5344 (Faringdon, 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 Faringdon, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Faringdon, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.6154, -1.5344) 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 Faringdon, 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 Faringdon, 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 Faringdon, 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 Faringdon, 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 Faringdon, United Kingdom

The area surrounding Faringdon, a market town in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, is characterized by gently rolling countryside typical of southern England. The town itself sits atop Faringdon Hill, providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The topography in this region is generally low-lying, with subtle undulations and shallow valleys carved by small rivers and streams. To the north and east of Faringdon, the land gradually slopes down towards the Thames Valley, with the River Thames flowing approximately 5 miles to the north. This area is predominantly flat, consisting of fertile agricultural land and meadows. To the south and west, the terrain becomes slightly more varied, with modest hills and ridges forming part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Faringdon that might be suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The most promising locations would likely be found in the flatter, more open areas to the north and east of the town. These regions offer several advantages for solar PV development: Firstly, the relatively level terrain in these areas would simplify the installation process and reduce construction costs. The lack of significant slopes or undulations means that less earthwork would be required to prepare the site for solar panel arrays. Secondly, the openness of the landscape in the Thames Valley provides ample space for large-scale installations without the need for extensive land clearing. Many of these areas are currently used for agriculture, which could potentially be compatible with solar farming, allowing for dual land use. Thirdly, the absence of major hills or other topographical features to the east and south means that these areas receive good sun exposure throughout the day, maximizing the potential energy generation from solar panels. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar PV development would need to consider other factors beyond topography, such as grid connection availability, local planning regulations, and environmental impact assessments. The proximity to the North Wessex Downs AONB might also impose restrictions on development in some areas to preserve the natural beauty of the landscape. In conclusion, while the gently rolling countryside around Faringdon offers several potentially suitable locations for solar PV installations, the most promising areas are likely to be found in the flatter, more open spaces to the north and east of the town, where the topography and land use are most conducive to such developments.

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.