Solar PV Analysis of Higham Ferrers, United Kingdom
The location at Higham Ferrers, England, United Kingdom can produce a reasonable amount of energy from solar panels throughout the year. The most productive times for generating solar energy are during the summer and spring seasons, when the sun is more prominent and stays out longer. During these periods, each kilowatt of installed solar can generate roughly 5.15kWh per day in summer and 4.29kWh per day in spring.
However, output does decrease significantly in autumn and winter due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. In these seasons, you can expect around 2.24kWh/day in autumn and only 1.08kWh/day in winter from each kilowatt of installed solar.
To maximize total yearly production from your solar panels at this location, they should be tilted at an angle of 44 degrees facing southward.
There could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you get from your panels here though – things like weather conditions or nearby buildings or trees blocking sunlight could reduce efficiency.
For example, Higham Ferrers is known to experience frequent rain showers which may limit sunlight exposure on certain days but isn't significant enough to completely impede production as modern PV systems still generate power under cloudy conditions albeit at reduced rates compared with full sunshine days.
Also if there are any tall structures or trees near where you're planning to install your panels that cast shadows over them during parts of the day it would reduce their productivity too because they need direct sunlight to work best.
To prevent such issues affecting your system's performance:
- You might want to consider installing them somewhere high up without obstructions around - perhaps on a roof.
- Regular cleaning especially after heavy rains would also help keep them working efficiently by removing any dirt or debris that may have accumulated.
- If possible try adjusting the tilt angle seasonally for optimal capture of sunlight throughout different times of year.
Overall while not perfect, Higham Ferrers is still a decent location for generating solar energy year-round with the right setup and maintenance.
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 763 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 Higham Ferrers
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.3069, Longitude: -0.5946 (Higham Ferrers, 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 Higham Ferrers, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Higham Ferrers, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.3069, -0.5946) 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 Higham Ferrers, 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 Higham Ferrers, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36° South in Summer | 55° South in Autumn | 66° 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 Higham Ferrers, 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 Higham Ferrers, 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 Higham Ferrers, United Kingdom
Higham Ferrers is located in the East Midlands region of England, United Kingdom. The topography around Higham Ferrers is generally flat to gently undulating, with some low hills and valleys. This area is part of the Northamptonshire Uplands, which includes a mix of farmland, woodland and urban areas.
The landscape characteristics make it potentially suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. Areas that would be most suited are those with flat or south-facing slopes for maximum sunlight exposure. These include open farmland areas away from residential zones to minimize visual impact.
However, various factors need to be taken into account before installing large scale solar PV such as local planning regulations, proximity to power grids for easy connection and distribution of generated electricity, potential impact on local wildlife habitats and biodiversity etc.
It's also important to note that the UK has variable weather conditions with less sun hours compared to more southernly countries so while it's possible to generate solar energy here effectively it might not be as efficient as in more sunny locations.
A detailed site survey combined with GIS mapping would provide a more accurate assessment about specific locations' suitability for large-scale solar PV installations in this area.
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: Wednesday 15th of May 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
