Solar PV Analysis of Fleet, United Kingdom
The location of Fleet, England, United Kingdom, is somewhat suitable for generating solar energy throughout the year. If you install a solar panel system here, during the summer months you can expect to generate about 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. In autumn, this drops to around 2.31 kWh/day per kW installed, and in winter it's even lower at just 1.07 kWh/day per kW installed due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. However, in spring the output increases again to around 4.36 kWh/day per kW installed.
So if we're talking about ideal times of year for generating solar energy at this location - it would be during the longer daylight hours in spring and summer when the sun is more intense.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 44 degrees facing south will help maximise your total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system as it allows them to capture more sunlight throughout different times of day and seasons.
As far as environmental or local factors that could potentially hinder solar production here - one significant factor could be weather patterns such as frequent cloud cover or fog which can reduce sunlight exposure on your panels significantly resulting in lower power generation.
In terms of preventative measures that can be taken when installing a solar PV system here: having a good understanding on where shadows fall over your property throughout different times of day/year before installation would help ensure maximum exposure; regular cleaning/maintenance also helps optimise performance by removing any dirt or debris that may accumulate over time blocking light; finally using high-quality durable components resistant against harsh weather conditions would also ensure greater longevity and efficiency from your system overall.
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 Fleet
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.2796, Longitude: -0.8337 (Fleet, 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 Fleet, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fleet, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.2796, -0.8337) 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 Fleet, 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 Fleet, 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 | 54° 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 Fleet, 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 Fleet, 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 Fleet, United Kingdom
Fleet is located in the county of Hampshire in the South East of England. The topography around Fleet is fairly flat with gentle undulations, characterized by low-lying plains and some small hills. It's part of a region known as the London Basin, which has fertile soils.
The climate in Fleet and its surrounding areas is temperate maritime, meaning it experiences mild summers and cool winters. Rainfall is spread evenly throughout the year, but sunlight hours are highest during summer months (May-August).
For large-scale solar PV installations, you would ideally want an area that has a lot of sun exposure throughout the year and minimal shading from trees or buildings. Considering this, open farmlands or industrial areas on the outskirts of Fleet could potentially be suitable for such installations.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would also need to consider other factors like local planning regulations, proximity to power grids for energy transmission, potential environmental impact on local wildlife habitats etc., before deciding on a location.
In terms of specific nearby locations - Crondall to the west or Ewshot to the north could potentially be suitable given their relatively flat terrain and open spaces. However detailed feasibility studies would need to be conducted first.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 9th of June 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
