Honiton, England, located in Devon, United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.84kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.93kWh daily. These seasons offer the best conditions for solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies.

However, the picture changes dramatically during autumn and winter. Autumn sees a substantial drop to 2.51kWh per day, while winter plummets to a mere 1.12kWh daily. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of year-round solar generation in Honiton's climate.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production, fixed panels should be installed at a 43-degree angle facing south. This tilt helps optimize energy capture across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.

Environmental Considerations

Several factors can impact solar production in Honiton:

• Cloud cover: The UK is known for its cloudy weather, which can significantly reduce solar output.
• Rainfall: Frequent rain can decrease panel efficiency and may require more frequent cleaning.

To mitigate these issues, consider installing high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions. Regular panel cleaning and maintenance can also help maintain optimal performance. Additionally, incorporating a battery storage system can help balance out the seasonal variations in energy production.

While Honiton's location presents challenges for year-round solar energy generation, with proper planning and installation, solar PV can still be a viable renewable energy option, particularly during the spring and summer months.

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 Honiton

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.8231, Longitude: -3.2087 (Honiton, 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 43° South in Honiton, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Honiton, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 50.8231, -3.2087) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Honiton, 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 Honiton, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° 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	54° South in Autumn	64° South in Winter	43° 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 Honiton, 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 Honiton, United Kingdom.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Honiton, United Kingdom

Honiton, a market town in East Devon, England, is situated in a picturesque landscape characterized by rolling hills and lush valleys. The town itself lies in a valley at the confluence of the River Otter and its tributary, the Gissage. The surrounding topography is typical of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with gentle slopes and undulating terrain. To the north and south of Honiton, the land rises gradually, forming a series of hills and ridges. These elevations provide sweeping views of the countryside and contribute to the area's scenic beauty. The northern hills are part of the Blackdown Hills, an area known for its diverse habitats and agricultural landscapes. To the south, the land rises towards the East Devon plateau, offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside. The River Otter valley, which runs to the east of Honiton, creates a natural lowland corridor through the otherwise hilly terrain. This river valley is flanked by gentle slopes and occasional steeper inclines, forming a patchwork of fields, woodlands, and pastures.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Honiton that might be suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have good sun exposure, relatively flat terrain, and minimal impact on the natural beauty of the landscape. The gently sloping fields to the south and southeast of Honiton could potentially be suitable for solar PV installations. These areas benefit from a southerly aspect, which is advantageous for maximizing solar energy capture. The gradual inclines in this direction also mean that the land is less prone to shadowing effects that can reduce solar panel efficiency. Another area that might be considered is the plateau region to the southwest of Honiton. This higher ground offers expansive, open spaces that could accommodate large solar arrays. The elevated position may provide good sun exposure throughout the day, although careful planning would be needed to minimize visual impact on the landscape. It's important to note that while these areas may have suitable topography for solar PV, any large-scale installation would need to be carefully balanced with environmental and aesthetic considerations. The East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status of the region means that any development would require thorough assessment and planning to ensure it doesn't detract from the natural beauty of the landscape. Additionally, areas of agricultural land to the east and northeast of Honiton, where the terrain is relatively flat, could potentially be considered for solar PV development. However, the impact on food production and rural livelihoods would need to be carefully evaluated. In conclusion, while the topography around Honiton offers some potential for large-scale solar PV installations, any such development would need to be approached with sensitivity to the area's natural beauty and agricultural importance. Detailed site-specific assessments would be necessary to determine the most appropriate locations that balance energy production with landscape preservation.

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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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.