Solar Energy Potential in Godalming, England, UK

Godalming, England, located in Surrey, United Kingdom, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The town's position in the Northern Temperate Zone affects its solar energy production capabilities, with significant seasonal variations. Summer proves to be the most productive season for solar energy in Godalming, England, with an average daily output of 5.13 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. This is followed closely by spring, which yields 4.36 kWh/day. These seasons provide the best opportunity for maximizing solar energy production due to longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies. Autumn sees a considerable drop in solar energy generation, with an average daily output of 2.31 kWh/kW. Winter presents the greatest challenge, producing only 1.07 kWh/day on average. This significant decrease is due to shorter daylight hours, lower sun angles, and typically cloudier weather conditions during these seasons.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Godalming, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 43 degrees facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the town's latitude and the sun's position throughout the year, ensuring the best possible energy capture across all seasons.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar energy production in Godalming: 1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its cloudy weather, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency. While this is a natural occurrence, using high-efficiency panels can help mitigate the impact. 2. Rain and humidity: Frequent rainfall in the region can affect panel performance. Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels can help maintain optimal efficiency. 3. Short winter days: Godalming experiences particularly short days during winter, limiting solar energy production. This can be partially offset by ensuring panels are free from obstructions and positioned at the optimal angle. To address these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency, weather-resistant solar panels
• Implement a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule
• Install a solar tracking system for increased energy capture
• Consider battery storage to maximize utilization of generated energy

While Godalming may not be ideal for year-round solar energy production compared to sunnier locations, it still offers significant potential, especially during spring and summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a valuable contribution to the town's renewable 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 Godalming

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.1831, Longitude: -0.7072 (Godalming, 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 43° South in Godalming, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Godalming, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.1831, -0.7072) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Godalming, 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 Godalming, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° 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	64° 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 Godalming, 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 Godalming, 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 Godalming, United Kingdom

Godalming, a historic market town in Surrey, England, is situated in a picturesque landscape characterized by gently rolling hills and verdant valleys. The town itself lies in a shallow depression along the River Wey, with the surrounding terrain gradually rising to form a series of low hills and ridges. To the north and east of Godalming, the land becomes more elevated, forming part of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This area features a mix of wooded slopes and open chalk downland, creating a varied and attractive topography. The Hog's Back, a prominent ridge running east to west, is visible to the north of the town and forms a distinctive feature in the local landscape. South of Godalming, the terrain becomes slightly flatter, with occasional gentle undulations. This area is predominantly rural, consisting of a patchwork of fields, small woodlands, and scattered farmsteads. The land here gradually descends towards the Low Weald, a region of clay soils and more subdued relief. To the west, the landscape becomes more rugged, with steeper hills and deeper valleys. This area forms part of the Greensand Ridge, a band of sandstone hills that runs across Surrey and into neighboring counties. The terrain here is characterized by a mix of heathland, coniferous plantations, and deciduous woodlands.

Potential for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Godalming that might be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors need to be taken into account. The ideal location would have relatively flat or gently sloping land, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from trees or other obstacles. The areas to the south of Godalming, where the terrain is less hilly and more open, could potentially offer suitable sites for solar farms. These locations benefit from a more expansive landscape with fewer obstructions to sunlight. However, it's important to note that much of this land is currently used for agriculture, which could present conflicts in land use. Some of the more gently sloping hillsides to the north and east of Godalming might also be considered for solar installations, particularly those facing south or southwest. These areas could potentially capture more sunlight due to their elevated position and favorable orientation. It's worth noting that while the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers excellent sun exposure due to its elevated position, it is protected land and therefore unlikely to be suitable for large-scale solar developments. Ultimately, any large-scale solar PV project in the vicinity of Godalming would need to carefully balance the need for renewable energy with considerations of land use, visual impact on the landscape, and environmental protection. Detailed site-specific assessments would be necessary to identify the most appropriate locations for 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.