Feltham, England, located in the United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Feltham, England, with an impressive daily output of 5.13kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.36kWh/day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn, with 2.31kWh/day, and reaches its lowest point in winter, producing only 1.07kWh/day.

These figures highlight the stark contrast between the warmer and colder months, with summer producing nearly five times more energy than winter. This variability poses challenges for year-round reliance on solar power in Feltham.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Feltham, England, fixed panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 44 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated to capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Feltham:

1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency.
2. Rainfall: Feltham experiences considerable rainfall, which can temporarily decrease panel output.
3. Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, limiting solar exposure.

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
• Install a robust cleaning system to remove dirt and debris, ensuring optimal panel performance.
• Implement micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading.
• Consider supplementing with other renewable energy sources during low-production months.

While Feltham's location is not ideal for year-round solar energy production, proper installation techniques and technology choices can help maximize the potential of solar PV systems in this area.

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 Feltham

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.4536, Longitude: -0.4233 (Feltham, 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 Feltham, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Feltham, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.4536, -0.4233) 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 Feltham, 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 Feltham, 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	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 Feltham, 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 Feltham, 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 Feltham, United Kingdom

Feltham, located in the western part of Greater London, sits on relatively flat terrain typical of the Thames Valley region. The area around Feltham is characterized by low-lying land with gentle undulations, making it part of the broader London Basin. This topography is a result of centuries of geological processes and the influence of the nearby River Thames. The landscape surrounding Feltham is predominantly urban and suburban, with a mix of residential areas, industrial estates, and pockets of green spaces. To the north and west of Feltham, the land gradually rises towards the gentle slopes of Hounslow Heath, a remnant of the once-extensive heathlands that covered much of the area. To the south and east, the terrain remains relatively level as it stretches towards the Thames.

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 flat terrain around Feltham is generally favorable for solar projects, as it minimizes shading issues and simplifies installation processes. However, the urban nature of the region presents challenges in finding suitable open spaces for large-scale developments. Some of the most promising areas for solar PV installations near Feltham include: 1. Former industrial sites or brownfield land: These areas, often found on the outskirts of urban centers, could be repurposed for solar farms, providing a sustainable use for otherwise unused land. 2. Agricultural land to the west and southwest: The more rural areas beyond the immediate vicinity of Feltham, stretching towards Staines-upon-Thames and beyond, may offer larger tracts of open land suitable for solar development. 3. Rooftops of large commercial and industrial buildings: While not strictly "large-scale" in the traditional sense, the numerous warehouses and industrial estates in and around Feltham present significant potential for distributed solar PV systems. 4. Areas adjacent to existing infrastructure: Land near motorways, railways, or airports (such as the nearby Heathrow Airport) could be utilized for solar installations, maximizing the use of already developed corridors. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV development in this area would need to carefully consider local planning regulations, environmental impact assessments, and the preservation of green belt land. The densely populated nature of the region means that community engagement and thoughtful project design would be crucial for successful implementation of solar energy projects near Feltham.

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.