Solar PV Analysis of Fulham, United Kingdom
In Fulham, England, United Kingdom, located at latitude 51.477 and longitude -0.1959, the solar energy production varies significantly across different seasons due to changes in sunlight intensity and duration of daylight hours. During the summer season, the average energy yield per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity is approximately 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is attributable to longer daylight hours and higher sun intensity.
However, as autumn sets in with shorter days and reduced sunlight exposure, this figure drops substantially to an average of 2.31 kWh per kW per day. This trend continues into winter when daily solar production dips further to an average of just 1.07 kWh per kW due to the shortest daylight hours and lowest sun intensity experienced throughout the year.
When spring arrives with its increasing daylight length and improving weather conditions, there's a notable rise in solar power generation again reaching an average output of about 4.36 kWh per kW each day.
The ideal angle for fixed panel installation at this location is a tilt towards South at approximately 44 degrees which maximizes exposure to direct sunlight throughout the year thereby optimizing energy yield from your solar installation.
Fulham's geographic location makes it suitable for generating solar power year-round despite seasonal fluctuations in solar output levels due largely to its moderate climate that doesn't experience extreme temperature variations or severe weather conditions that could potentially damage panels or impede their performance.
Nevertheless, it's worth noting that factors such as shading from nearby buildings or trees can significantly reduce a system’s efficiency by blocking sunlight from reaching your panels so careful site selection during installation can help mitigate this issue ensuring greater energy production 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 Fulham
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.477, Longitude: -0.1959 (Fulham, 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 Fulham, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fulham, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.477, -0.1959) 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 Fulham, 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 Fulham, 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 Fulham, 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 Fulham, 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 Fulham, United Kingdom
The topography around Fulham, United Kingdom is generally flat and low-lying. Areas that are most suitable for large-scale solar PV installations would be those with the highest levels of direct sunlight, such as open fields or rooftops with no shading from nearby buildings or trees. The surrounding area is densely populated so there may not be many suitable locations available for large-scale solar PV installations. However, the nearby Thames River could provide a good location as it has plenty of open space and is unlikely to have any obstructions blocking out the sun.
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: Tuesday 22nd of August 2023
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.
