Solar PV Analysis of Hitchin, United Kingdom
The location at Hitchin, England, United Kingdom is moderately suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaics (PV) year-round. This means that it can produce a decent amount of electricity from sunlight throughout the year.
In simple terms, solar PV works best when there's lots of sunlight. During summer in Hitchin, England, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can generate 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day - this is quite good and makes summer an ideal time for generating solar power here.
However, as autumn comes around and days become shorter with less sunlight available, the output drops down to 2.31 kWh/day per kW installed. Winter sees even less sun with only 1.07 kWh/day produced per kW installed which isn't very much at all.
As spring arrives and days start getting longer again, the output increases back up to a decent level at 4.36 kWh/day per kW installed.
To get the most out of your solar panels in Hitchin throughout the year, you should tilt them at an angle of 44 degrees facing South. This will help maximise their exposure to sunlight and therefore increase their total yearly production.
When it comes to potential issues that might affect solar production in Hitchin; weather factors like cloud cover or fog could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels thereby reducing their output significantly on such days. Other environmental factors might include trees or buildings blocking direct sunlight onto your panels.
To mitigate these issues when installing your panels; try positioning them where they won't be shaded by trees or buildings especially during peak sunshine hours which are usually between around 9am-3pm local time depending on season & latitude etc., also consider using cleaning methods or coatings designed to keep panel surfaces clear from dust build-up etc., since dirty surfaces can also reduce panel efficiency by blocking some light too.
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 Hitchin
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.917, Longitude: -0.2061 (Hitchin, 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 Hitchin, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hitchin, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.917, -0.2061) 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 Hitchin, 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 Hitchin, 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 Hitchin, 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 Hitchin, 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 Hitchin, United Kingdom
Hitchin is located in the county of Hertfordshire, England. The topography around Hitchin is relatively flat and low-lying with an average elevation of 100 metres above sea level. The area features a mix of urban settlements and open countryside, including farmland and woodland.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be on the outskirts of Hitchin where there are expansive agricultural fields. These locations offer plenty of sunlight exposure with minimal shading from buildings or trees. Furthermore, they are away from residential areas to avoid potential issues related to aesthetic impact or land use conflicts.
However, it's important to note that any development for solar farms would require careful planning consideration regarding local environmental impacts, grid connectivity and public acceptance among other factors. A detailed site-specific assessment will be necessary to identify the most suitable locations within this region.
Additionally, rooftops in urban areas could also provide opportunities for smaller scale solar PV installations which can contribute towards renewable energy generation without requiring additional land resources.
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: Wednesday 10th 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.
