Solar PV Analysis of Harrow, United Kingdom
Located at latitude 51.5773 and longitude -0.3278, Harrow in the United Kingdom offers a favorable environment for solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation. The average daily solar irradiance varies across seasons, with summer providing the highest yield of 5.13 kWh per kW followed by spring at 4.36 kWh per kW, autumn at 2.31 kWh per kW and winter producing the least energy output with an average of 1.07 kWh per kW.
The elevated energy production during summer and spring can be attributed to longer daylight hours and higher levels of sunlight exposure compared to other seasons, which facilitates more efficient power generation from installed solar panels.
However, it's worth noting that local weather conditions such as heavy cloud cover or strong winds may occasionally impede optimal energy production by reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the panels or causing physical damage respectively.
To mitigate these potential challenges in Harrow's climate, it would be beneficial to ensure regular maintenance checks on your solar installation for any signs of wear or damage due to inclement weather conditions and also consider integrating a suitable energy storage system to store excess power generated during peak production periods for use during less productive times.
In terms of panel installation specifics, positioning them at an angle of 44 degrees facing south is ideal for this location as it maximizes exposure to sun rays throughout the year thereby optimizing overall energy production from your PV system.
Overall, despite occasional weather-related setbacks that might affect solar output in Harrow area; its geographical location combined with strategic panel placement could offer substantial renewable energy opportunities throughout most parts of the year.
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 911 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 Harrow
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5773, Longitude: -0.3278 (Harrow, 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 Harrow, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Harrow, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.5773, -0.3278) 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 Harrow, 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 Harrow, 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 Harrow, 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 Harrow, 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 Harrow, United Kingdom
The topography around Harrow, United Kingdom is generally flat and low-lying. Areas to the north and west of the city are particularly well suited to large-scale solar PV installations due to their open spaces, unobstructed views of the sky and lack of nearby trees or buildings that could obstruct sunlight. The nearby townships of Stanmore, Kingsbury, Edgware and Wembley are all potential sites for large-scale solar installations as they have similar terrain characteristics.
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: Sunday 17th of September 2023
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
