Solar PV Analysis of Harringay, United Kingdom
Harringay, England, United Kingdom, is a decent but not perfect location for producing year-round energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The amount of electricity that can be generated varies by season. In the summer months, you could expect to generate around 5.13 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of installed solar power. This drops in autumn to about 2.31 kWh/day and even further in winter to only about 1.07kWh/day before picking up again in spring at around 4.36kWh/day.
In simple terms, this means that the best time to generate solar energy at this location would be during the sunnier periods of spring and summer when daylight hours are longer and the sun is higher in the sky.
To maximize total year-round production from solar PV at this location, panels should ideally be tilted at an angle of 44 degrees facing southwards towards the equator where sunlight is most direct.
However, there may be local factors that could affect how much energy you can produce with your solar panels here in Harringay - these might include typical weather conditions or other environmental issues specific to this area.
For instance, Harringay's climate includes relatively short days during winter and frequent cloudy or rainy days throughout much of the year which limit sunlight exposure on PV panels thereby reducing their efficiency.
Additionally, urban areas like Harringay often have high levels of air pollution which can also reduce sunlight intensity reaching your panels.
To overcome these challenges as much as possible:
- Regular cleaning/maintenance will ensure dirt or dust does not accumulate on your panel surfaces limiting their efficiency.
- Consider using advanced PV modules designed specifically for low-light conditions.
- If feasible install a tracking system so your panels follow the sun across its path maximizing exposure.
Remember though every situation is unique so it's always wise to consult with a local professional who knows well both solar technology and the local conditions.
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 Harringay
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5885, Longitude: -0.103 (Harringay, 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 Harringay, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Harringay, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.5885, -0.103) 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 Harringay, 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 Harringay, 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 | 44° 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 Harringay, 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 Harringay, 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 Harringay, United Kingdom
Harringay is located in North London, United Kingdom. The topography of the area is relatively flat with some gentle slopes, as it's typical for urban areas. It has a mix of residential and commercial buildings.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would likely be open spaces or on rooftops of larger buildings. In terms of nearby locations, there are several parks such as Finsbury Park and Downhills Park which could potentially accommodate solar panels if planning permissions were granted. Industrial estates like Tottenham Hale Industrial Estate could also be suitable due to their extensive roof space.
However, given that Harringay is an urban location with high population density, any large-scale solar PV project would need careful planning and community engagement to ensure minimal disruption and maximum benefit. Furthermore, London's weather isn't the sunniest in the UK so this might affect the efficiency of a solar farm.
In general though, more rural areas outside London where land is less expensive and more abundant tend to be better suited for large scale solar farms.
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: Saturday 27th of April 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 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.
