Felsted, England, a village in Essex, United Kingdom, presents a moderate location for solar PV energy generation. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar output throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.08 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.34 kWh daily. These warmer months, particularly from April to September, offer the best conditions for solar energy production in Felsted.

Autumn sees a significant drop in output, with 2.22 kWh per day, while winter performance is notably low at just 0.99 kWh daily. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of year-round solar reliance in this location.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production, fixed panels should be installed at a 44-degree tilt angle facing south. This orientation helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering Felsted's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Felsted doesn't face extreme environmental challenges, there are factors that could impact solar production:

• Cloud cover: The UK is known for its cloudy weather, which can reduce solar efficiency.
• Short winter days: Felsted experiences significantly shorter daylight hours in winter, limiting solar generation.

To mitigate these issues, consider using high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions. Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help maximize output, especially during less productive seasons.

In conclusion, while Felsted isn't ideal for year-round solar production, it still offers significant potential, particularly during spring and summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV can be a valuable addition to the local 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 756 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 Felsted

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.8097, Longitude: 0.3132 (Felsted, 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 Felsted, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Felsted, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.8097, 0.3132) 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 Felsted, 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 Felsted, 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 Felsted, 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 Felsted, 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 Felsted, United Kingdom

Felsted, located in Essex, England, sits in a gently undulating landscape typical of the southeastern part of the country. The area around Felsted is characterized by low-lying, rolling hills and shallow valleys, with elevations generally ranging from about 50 to 100 meters above sea level. This subtle topography is the result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which shaped the land into its current form. The surrounding countryside is predominantly rural, featuring a patchwork of agricultural fields, small woodlands, and scattered settlements. The River Chelmer flows to the south of Felsted, creating a shallow river valley that adds some variety to the otherwise gentle terrain. To the north and east, the land gradually rises towards the higher ground of the Essex-Suffolk border.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The gently sloping terrain around Felsted offers some advantages for solar energy development. South-facing slopes, in particular, would be ideal for maximizing solar exposure throughout the day. The agricultural land surrounding Felsted could potentially accommodate large solar arrays. Fields that are less productive for farming or areas of marginal agricultural value might be suitable candidates for solar development. However, it's important to balance renewable energy needs with preserving valuable farmland. Areas to the south and southeast of Felsted, where the land is slightly more open and less wooded, could be particularly well-suited for solar PV installations. These locations would likely receive more consistent sunlight throughout the day, with fewer obstructions from trees or buildings. It's worth noting that while the topography around Felsted is generally favorable for solar development, other factors such as grid connection availability, local planning regulations, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the most suitable sites for large-scale solar PV projects. Any potential development would need to be carefully assessed to ensure it aligns with local land use policies and community interests.

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.