Grange-over-Sands, England, located in the United Kingdom, presents a mixed scenario for solar PV energy generation. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.24 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.26 kWh/day. However, the output drops considerably during autumn, producing only 1.83 kWh/day, and plummets to a mere 0.86 kWh/day in winter.

These figures highlight that Grange-over-Sands experiences a stark contrast between its productive and less productive months. The location is most suitable for solar energy generation from late spring through early autumn, with peak performance during the summer months.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production at this location, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 45-degree angle facing south. This tilt angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors could potentially impede solar production in Grange-over-Sands:

1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequently overcast skies, which can significantly reduce solar energy production.
2. Rainfall: The area experiences considerable rainfall, which can affect panel efficiency.
3. Short winter days: Being in the Northern Temperate Zone, Grange-over-Sands has notably shorter days during winter, limiting solar exposure.

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
• Install a robust cleaning system to keep panels free from rain residue and debris.
• Implement microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading.
• Consider supplementing with other renewable energy sources during less productive months.

While Grange-over-Sands may not be ideal for year-round solar energy production, with proper planning and equipment, it can still harness significant solar power, particularly during the warmer months.

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 Grange-over-Sands

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.2012, Longitude: -2.9387 (Grange-over-Sands, 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 45° South in Grange-over-Sands, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Grange-over-Sands, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 54.2012, -2.9387) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 45° 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 Grange-over-Sands, 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 Grange-over-Sands, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 45° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
38° South in Summer	57° South in Autumn	67° South in Winter	46° 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 Grange-over-Sands, 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 Grange-over-Sands, 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 Grange-over-Sands, United Kingdom

Grange-over-Sands, located in Cumbria, England, is situated in a diverse and picturesque landscape. The town itself sits on the northern shore of Morecambe Bay, with the terrain gently rising from the coast inland. The immediate area around Grange-over-Sands is characterized by rolling hills and undulating countryside, typical of the southern edge of the Lake District National Park. To the north of the town, the land becomes increasingly hilly, with steep slopes and valleys forming part of the southern fringes of the Lake District. These hills are often covered in a patchwork of fields, woodlands, and small villages. The highest point in the vicinity is Hampsfell, a limestone hill that offers panoramic views of the bay and surrounding countryside. To the east and west of Grange-over-Sands, the coastline is marked by a mix of sandy beaches, mudflats, and salt marshes. The Cartmel Peninsula, on which the town is located, features a combination of agricultural land and small wooded areas, with the terrain becoming more rugged as it extends northward.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations near Grange-over-Sands, it's important to look for relatively flat, open spaces that receive ample sunlight. The most promising locations would likely be found to the south and east of the town, where the terrain is generally flatter and there are fewer obstructions to sunlight. The agricultural lands on the Cartmel Peninsula, particularly those with a southerly aspect, could potentially be suitable for solar farms. These areas often have large, open fields that could accommodate extensive arrays of solar panels. However, it's crucial to balance the need for renewable energy with the preservation of productive farmland and the area's natural beauty. Some of the gently sloping hillsides to the north of Grange-over-Sands might also be considered for solar installations, provided they have a favorable orientation towards the sun. These locations would need to be carefully selected to minimize visual impact on the landscape and avoid areas of particular ecological or scenic value. It's worth noting that the development of large-scale solar projects in this area would require careful planning and consultation with local authorities, environmental agencies, and community stakeholders. The proximity to the Lake District National Park and the area's status as a tourist destination mean that any such developments would need to be sensitively designed and implemented to preserve the region's natural and cultural heritage.

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.