Solar PV Analysis of Heywood, United Kingdom
Heywood, England, United Kingdom, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a challenging environment for year-round solar PV energy generation. The location's latitude and longitude (53.5884, -2.2188) contribute to significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy output in Heywood fluctuates dramatically throughout the year. Summer months are the most productive, with an average of 5.31kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows with 4.39kWh/day, while autumn sees a substantial drop to 1.94kWh/day. Winter performance is particularly poor, yielding only 0.90kWh/day.
The stark contrast between summer and winter output highlights the challenges of relying solely on solar power in this location. The ideal times for solar generation are from late spring through early autumn, with peak performance in June and July.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Heywood, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 45-degree angle facing south. This tilt angle is calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several factors can impede solar production in Heywood:
- Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, reducing solar radiation reaching the panels.
- Rainfall: Heywood's climate includes regular precipitation, which can temporarily reduce panel efficiency.
- Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in significantly shorter daylight hours during winter months.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these challenges and enhance solar energy production, consider the following measures:
- Use high-efficiency solar panels designed for low-light conditions
- Implement a solar tracking system to maximize exposure throughout the day
- Regularly clean panels to remove dirt and debris that may accumulate due to rainfall
- Consider supplementing with other renewable energy sources for more consistent year-round power generation
While Heywood's location presents challenges for solar PV energy generation, proper installation techniques and preventative measures can help optimize performance, particularly during the more favorable months 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 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 Heywood
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.5884, Longitude: -2.2188 (Heywood, 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 Heywood, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Heywood, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.5884, -2.2188) 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 Heywood, 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 Heywood, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37° South in Summer | 56° South in Autumn | 67° South in Winter | 45° 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 Heywood, 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 Heywood, 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 Heywood, United Kingdom
The topography around Heywood, United Kingdom, is characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys typical of the Lancashire landscape. Heywood sits on the eastern edge of the Greater Manchester urban area, with the terrain gradually rising towards the Pennine hills to the east.
The immediate vicinity of Heywood features a mix of low-lying areas and modest elevations. The town itself is situated at an average elevation of around 130 meters (425 feet) above sea level. As you move east from Heywood, the land becomes more undulating, with small hills and shallow valleys creating a patchwork of fields and woodlands.
To the west and southwest of Heywood, the land is generally flatter, as it transitions into the Manchester Plain. This area is characterized by more urbanized development and industrial zones. To the north and northwest, the terrain remains relatively gentle, with a gradual increase in elevation towards the West Pennine Moors.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors need to be considered:
- The gently sloping farmland to the east and southeast of Heywood could potentially be suitable for solar farms. These areas receive good sunlight exposure and have fewer obstructions.
- Some of the flatter areas to the west and southwest, particularly on the outskirts of the urban zones, might be appropriate if they are not already designated for other development.
- Former industrial sites or brownfield areas in the broader region around Heywood could be repurposed for solar installations, provided they meet the necessary criteria for sunlight exposure and grid connection.
It's important to note that while the topography around Heywood is generally favorable for solar PV, other factors such as local planning regulations, grid capacity, and environmental considerations would need to be carefully evaluated before determining the most suitable locations for large-scale solar projects.
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 3rd of October 2024
Last Updated: Thursday 3rd of October 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.
