Solar PV Analysis of Hanwell, United Kingdom
Hanwell, England, located in the United Kingdom, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Hanwell, England, with an average daily output of 5.13 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.36 kWh/day. However, production drops considerably during autumn, with 2.31 kWh/day, and reaches its lowest point in winter, yielding only 1.07 kWh/day.
The substantial difference between summer and winter output highlights the impact of seasonal changes on solar energy production in this region. Longer daylight hours and higher sun angles during summer months contribute to peak performance, while shorter days and lower sun angles in winter result in reduced output.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Hanwell, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 44 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize exposure to sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several factors can impact solar energy production in Hanwell:
- Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can significantly reduce solar output.
- Rainfall: Hanwell experiences regular rainfall, which can temporarily decrease panel efficiency.
- Air pollution: Being close to London, air pollution may occasionally affect solar irradiance reaching the panels.
To mitigate these factors, consider the following measures when installing solar panels:
- Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in diffuse light conditions.
- Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dirt and pollutants from panel surfaces.
- Install a monitoring system to track performance and quickly identify any issues.
While Hanwell may not offer ideal year-round conditions for solar energy production, proper installation and maintenance can still yield significant benefits, particularly during the spring and summer 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 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 Hanwell
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5166, Longitude: -0.3425 (Hanwell, 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 Hanwell, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hanwell, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.5166, -0.3425) 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 Hanwell, 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 Hanwell, 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 Hanwell, 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 Hanwell, 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 Hanwell, United Kingdom
The topography around Hanwell, located in West London, United Kingdom, is generally characterized by gently rolling terrain with modest elevation changes. This area is part of the broader London Basin, a low-lying region that encompasses much of Greater London and its surrounding areas.
Hanwell itself sits at an elevation of approximately 30 meters (98 feet) above sea level. The landscape in and around Hanwell features a mix of urban development, parklands, and some open spaces. To the north and west of Hanwell, the land gradually rises towards the Chiltern Hills, while to the south and east, it slopes gently towards the River Thames.
The area is crisscrossed by several small rivers and streams, including the River Brent, which runs through Hanwell and contributes to the local topography with its associated valley and floodplain. These waterways have shaped the landscape over time, creating subtle variations in elevation and soil composition.
Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, the immediate vicinity of Hanwell may not be ideal due to its urban nature and limited open spaces. However, some nearby areas that might be more suitable for such projects include:
- The agricultural lands to the west and northwest of Hanwell, extending towards Uxbridge and beyond. These areas offer more open, flat terrain that could potentially accommodate larger solar installations.
- The region south of Heathrow Airport, which includes some expansive open areas that might be suitable for solar farms, provided they don't interfere with airport operations.
- Portions of the Green Belt surrounding London, particularly to the west and southwest of Hanwell. While there may be restrictions on development in these areas, some locations might be considered for renewable energy projects.
- Former industrial sites or brownfield areas in the broader West London region, which could be repurposed for solar energy generation.
It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider factors such as local planning regulations, environmental impact, grid connectivity, and community acceptance, in addition to the topographical suitability of the site.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 8th of August 2024
Last Updated: Friday 9th of August 2024
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
